MONROE, La. (Interstat) — The Louisiana-Monroe Warhawks used a dominant first-quarter surge to build a lead they would never relinquish, holding off a late rally to defeat the Louisiana Tech Lady Techsters 70-62 in a non-conference women’s basketball game Friday night at Fant-Ewing Coliseum.

A spirited crowd of 1,593 watched as the Warhawks improved their early season record to 2 wins and 0 losses, while the Lady Techsters fell to 0 wins and 2 losses to start the campaign. The result defied the pregame projections from Interstat’s ELO system, which had given Louisiana Tech a slight 51.60 percent probability of victory.

Louisiana-Monroe seized control of the contest from the opening tip, exploding for 24 points in the first quarter. Their offensive outburst immediately put the visiting Lady Techsters on their heels. Though Louisiana Tech managed a respectable 18 points in the period, they found themselves in a six-point hole that would prove difficult to escape.

The second quarter saw both defenses tighten, with scoring dropping significantly. The Warhawks added 13 points to their total, while the Lady Techsters were held to just 11. The halftime break arrived with Louisiana-Monroe holding a 37-29 advantage.

Emerging from the locker room, Louisiana Tech mounted its most serious challenge. The Lady Techsters found their rhythm in the third quarter, outscoring the Warhawks 20-13. The surge cut deeply into the Louisiana-Monroe lead, injecting new life into the visiting squad and setting the stage for a tense final period.

However, the Warhawks weathered the storm and responded emphatically in the fourth quarter. Matching their first-quarter intensity, Louisiana-Monroe poured in 20 points to close out the game. The Lady Techsters, despite a valiant effort, could only muster 13 points in the final frame, seeing their comeback attempt fall short.

The Warhawks’ victory was a balanced team effort, with several players making crucial contributions. Kamille Brown, a 5-foot-8 guard from Conway, Arkansas, led all scorers with 16 points in just 21 minutes of action, adding five rebounds and an assist. Her efficient scoring provided a consistent offensive threat for the home team.

Fellow guard Nakiyah Mays-Prince, a 5-foot-5 Chicago native, orchestrated the offense masterfully, dishing out a game-high seven assists to go along with 10 points and five rebounds in her 23 minutes on the court. Her playmaking was instrumental in breaking down the Louisiana Tech defense and creating opportunities for her teammates.

The Warhawks also benefited from significant production off the bench. Keshunti Nichols, a 6-foot forward from Pearl, Mississippi, provided 12 points and five rebounds in 21 minutes. J’Mani Ingram, a 5-foot-7 guard from North Augusta, South Carolina, logged a team-high 27 minutes, contributing 12 points and six rebounds. Asjah Inniss, a 5-foot-9 guard from Suwanee, Georgia, also tallied 12 points and four rebounds. The interior presence of 6-foot-2 Marcavia Shavers of Biloxi, Mississippi, added eight points in 17 minutes.

For the Lady Techsters, the loss overshadowed several strong individual performances. Alexia Weaver, a 5-foot-8 guard from Louisville, Kentucky, led her team with 16 points, adding three rebounds and two assists in 25 minutes. Paris Bradley, a 5-foot-9 guard from Carrollton, Texas, was a workhorse, playing a game-high 34 minutes and finishing with 10 points, three rebounds, four assists and a blocked shot.

Jordan Marshall, a 6-foot forward from Little Rock, Arkansas, posted a solid all-around line of 12 points and seven rebounds in 21 minutes. Joy MadisonKey made her presence felt on the defensive end and the glass, pulling down seven rebounds and blocking two shots to go with six points and three assists in just 13 minutes of play.

The game was the second of the season for both programs. Louisiana Tech opened its season on the road Tuesday with an 81-93 loss to a powerful Arkansas team. Louisiana-Monroe began its year on Monday with an 80-71 home victory over Eastern Michigan.

Looking ahead, the Lady Techsters will seek their first win of the season when they return to Ruston to host La. Christian on Tuesday, November 11. The Warhawks, aiming to maintain their perfect start, will also be at home on Tuesday, November 11, to face in-state foe Grambling. The victory gives Louisiana-Monroe early momentum as they prepare for a challenging stretch of their schedule that features upcoming road games against Clemson, Mississippi State, Alabama, and Indiana.