Chaps Fall On The Bayou

MONROE, La. (November 1, 2011) - University of Louisiana at Monroe did not miss a field goal attempt in the final 5:53 of play, going 5-for-5 in the span, and Fred Brown led the Warhawks with a game-high 21 points to lead them past Lubbock Christian University 67-63  Tuesday night in an exhibition game played inside Fant-Ewing Coliseum.

LCU had a 36-28 lead with 16:30 remaining in the second half after LCU opened the second half with an 8-2 run, but the Warhawks answered back with a 9-2 run to take a 39-38 advantage.  There were seven lead changes in the second half and 11 in the game.  The game was tied at 48-48 when the Warhawks closed the game with their scoring surge.  Down the stretch when not hitting field goals, the Warhawks were benefitting from the line.  Taking advantage of a 24-15 foul discrepancy in the game and a 13-6 advantage in the half, ULM had 14 free-throw attempts compared to five by the Chaps (LCU had two with six seconds remaining).  The Warhawks capitalized with 13 free-throw attempts in the final 5:53, making nine of them.  Fabio Ribeiro had six attempts down the scoring stretch, making four of them as part of his 10 points in the half for ULM.  LCU trailed as much as seven points late (64-57), and the best they could cut the deficit was to three points on two occasions in the final minute of play.

The Chaps led most of the first half, building a 20-14 lead with 8:14 remaining in the half, but then went the next seven minutes without a field goal.  A three-point play the old fashion way by Anthony Brancato and a three-pointer by Tyler Kennedy in the final ten seconds helped LCU tie the game at 26-26 heading in to the locker room.

Brancato led the Chaps with 19 points and 8 rebounds, and was one of three players to finish in double-figures in scoring.  Rashad Sample scored all 18 of his points for LCU in the second half off 7-of-11 shooting from the field.  Douglas Williams had 10 points for LCU with eight scored in the opening half.  Brown (21 points) and South Plains College transfer Hugh Mingo (18 points) were each 7-of-17 from the field for ULM.

The game was an exhibition game for both teams, and it was the first look for the NCAA Div.I Warhawks, who open the season Nov. 11 at Ole Miss.  LCU opened their season Monday with a 56-52 loss at Texas College and play their home opener Saturday at 6 p.m. against UT-Permian Basin inside Rip Griffin Center.  The contest against ULM was the first game for LCU to play in the state of Louisiana in program history.