In a Sun Belt Conference thriller, Jalen Bolden’s standout 24-point performance propelled UL Monroe to an 81-74 victory over Southern Miss on Saturday. The Warhawks (7-20, 3-11) snapped a five-game skid with a balanced offensive effort, while Southern Miss (10-17, 5-9) fought valiantly behind Denijay Harris’s double-double. Bolden’s heroics included seven rebounds and three steals, cementing his role as UL Monroe’s linchpin in this critical matchup.
Key contributors Tyreese Watson and Makai Willis stepped up for the Warhawks, combining for 41 points. Watson tallied 23 points with eight assists, showcasing his playmaking prowess. Willis dominated the paint, shooting 75% from the field (9-of-12) for 18 points. Southern Miss countered with Harris’s 24 points and 13 rebounds, while Neftali Alvarez added 19 points and six assists in a losing effort.
UL Monroe’s aggressive defense forced 12 turnovers, capitalizing with 15 fast-break points. Southern Miss, meanwhile, struggled from beyond the arc, hitting just 28% of three-point attempts. “We locked in defensively when it mattered,” said a team source postgame. UL Monroe vs Southern Miss lived up to its billing as a high-intensity rivalry, with both teams trading leads six times.
- Jalen Bolden: 24 PTS, 7 REB, 3 STL
- Warhawks’ bench: 14 points vs Eagles’ 8
- Southern Miss: 42% FG accuracy
With this win, UL Monroe aims to build momentum ahead of Wednesday’s road game against Texas State. Southern Miss hosts Coastal Carolina on Thursday, needing victories to stay afloat in conference standings. This Sun Belt Conference showdown underscores both teams’ resilience amid challenging seasons.