ASU had to withstand a game effort from Louisiana-Monroe to hold on for a 65-62 victory Thursday night at the Convocation Center. The victory advanced their perfect home mark to 8-0 on the season.
ULM (5-12, 1-5 Sun Belt) lead by as many as six points midway through the second half, but ASU wouldn’t let a home game slip away, rebounding to win on the back of strong inside play. ASU outscored ULM 38-10 inside the paint on the night.
“They did a great job defending our guys, and we didn’t score like we usually do around the basket,” ULM head coach Orlando Ealy said. “We had no answers for them around the basket.”
ASU (12-5, 4-2 Sun Belt) was sparked on both ends by huge nights from two key contributors. Forward Eric McKinney recorded a double-double, while he seemingly made plays on each end of the court all night long. The 6-8 junior put in 17 points, pulled down 15 boards, and notched four blocks.
Senior forward Shawn Morgan scored 19 points, added nine rebounds, and didn’t have a turnover.
“I’m proud of Shawn because he didn’t turn the ball over tonight and sometimes he has a tendancy to do things he shouldn’t do,” ASU head coach John Brady said. “He didn’t turn it over in 28 minutes and I am more impressed with that than anything else.”
ASU and ULM were knotted at halftime at 26 a piece.
The Warhawks were sparked by hot shooting from three-point land, finishing 11-of-22 from behind the arch. The numbers were in stark contrast to ASU’s 2-of-11 from the distance.
ULM junior guard Malcolm Thomas paced the Warhawks attack all-night, finishing with 20 points on 8-of-12 shooting from the floor.
Next up for the Red Wolves is a home date against South Alabama Saturday evening at 7 p.m. at the Convocation Center.
“I like these guys and I like the players I’m coaching,” Brady said. “They want to learn. It’s just a process and I keep saying that and I hope people understand. Our team is really receptive to teaching, and learning, and accountability.”
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