MONROE, La. – The Louisiana College women's basketball team made its 2011-12 debut Sunday afternoon with a trip to the University of Louisiana at Monroe for an exhibition game. The Lady Cats had their moments but it was ULM that came out on top, 76-62.

Louisiana College, playing against a much larger ULM team , managed to stay within arm's reach of the Warhawks and were within eight points of the lead with eight minutes to play in the contest.

It was the first full contest for both teams and the Warhawks and Lady Cats struggled from the field at times. ULM shot 35 percent on the night while LC shot 26 percent.

Both defenses were solid, with LC forcing 23 turnovers and ULM 22.

The Lady Cats kept it close, and low scoring, early and were tied at 11 with the Warhawks with 12 minutes to play in the first half before ULM went on a 15-4 run over the next four minutes to take a 26-15 lead.

A run by LC, sparked by junior forward Natosha Gottlieb (Alexandria, La./Bolton HS), followed but by halftime the Warhawks enjoyed an advantage of 41-34.

Gottlieb, who scored 12 first-half points, finished with a game-high 23 points and 10 rebounds. Senior guard Roslyn Wilmer (Marksville, La./Marksville HS) scored nine.

Two ULM players, Elizabeth Torres (10 points, 11 rebounds) and Sharnice Brooks (11 points, 12 rebounds), finished with double-doubles with three more Warhawks – Ashleigh Simmons (17), Larrie Williams (16) and Jasmine Shaw (12) – reached double-figure scoring.

The LC women will not return to action until Nov. 18, when the Lady Cats visit Jackson, Miss., for two days at the Millsaps Tournament.