Senior guard Elizabeth Torres scored 13 points, six points and six assists to help the women’s basketball team win its first game of the season against Nicholls State 78-68 on Dec. 3 in the Fant-Ewing Coliseum, wrapping up a two-game home-stand.

The Warhawks (1-8) got out to a poor start early in the game but fought hard enough to walk away with a victory.

ULM’s poor start forced head coach Mona Martin to take an early timeout as the team was down 13-2 to the Colonels.

“I think tonight was a growing process for us,” Martin said. “Because we learned if you don’t foul so much and you don’t put people on the line, then we will have a chance to win.”

Nicholls State senior guard Sumar Leslie put the Colonels (2-5) up fast scoring seven of the Colonels’ 13 points in the first four minutes of play. Leslie transferred from ULM after one season in 2008 to join Nicholls State – a school closer to her hometown of Houma.

“Sumar had a great game,” Martin said. “I hated to see her leave our program.”

Leslie finished the night with 23 points.

ULM’s offense struggled to get going, but freshman guard Taylor Maricle scored the first five points to keep the team competing.

The five points from Maricle were enough to spark ULM to fight back. Torres and senior forward Larrie Williams, who finished the night with a team-high of 21 points, took the game over.

After ULM’s slow start, Torres cut lead to two points after she flashed through lane, drawing a foul and scored the basket. Nicholls State was winning 21-19.

ULM took its first lead with less than five minutes in the first half to play and never looked back, leading at the half 35-28.

Matin said, “All I wrote on the board is quit the fouls, block out and get the boards, and take care of the ball.”

To start the second half, Torres hit a three-pointer to put team up by ten for the first time and that lead would hold off the big scoring from the Colonels.

The Warhawks return to action Dec. 10 at Southern Miss to take on the Golden Eagles at 4 p.m.