MONROE, La. – Eric Ferguson scored a season-high 19 points and added eight rebounds, and Georgia Southern held ULM to 36 percent shooting to retake first place in the Sun Belt Conference Men's Basketball standings with a 57-53 win over the Warhawks Saturday night in Fant-Ewing Coliseum.
 
Ferguson was 8-of-13 from the floor and hit two triples. Jelani Hewitt tallied 15 points, including 10 in the second half, and seven rebounds for the Eagles (13-4, 6-2), and Jake Allsmiller scored nine points after hitting 3-of-5 from the 3-point line.
 
"We come prepared every game, and it doesn't matter who scores for us," said Ferguson. "Anybody can have a good night and tonight was my turn."
 
Tyler Ongwae had 17 points and 10 rebounds to lead ULM (12-8, 6-3), and Nick Coppola added 10 points and six rebounds.
 
The Eagles led 55-49 after Mike Hughes hit 1-of-2 free throws, but Copploa hit a jumper with 44 seconds left and the Warhawks called timeout. ULM elected to press and try to force the turnover, and the Eagles made them pay as Hewitt broke the press with a pass up to Hughes, who fed Ferguson for a dunk and a six-point cushion with 32 seconds to go.  The Eagles got a defensive stop with 13 seconds left, and ULM managed just a pair of free throws the rest of the way.
 
"Our defense has been very, very good for a long stretch, and that's how you have to win on the road," said Georgia Southern coach Mark Byington. "You have to be tough and you have to play good defense. 'Find a Way' is a catch phrase for our team, and we talk about it all the time. No matter what it takes, find a way to win."
 
Hewitt hit a 3-pointer, was fouled and made the free throw to give Georgia Southern a nine-point advantage with 7:42 remaining in the game. ULM battled back and cut the deficit to three points on a layup by Justin Roberson with 3:31 to go. The Eagles answered by working it around until Ferguson got free for a layup and 54-49 lead with 2:28 to play.
 
"Our coaching staff just told us to be patient," said Ferguson. "Don't settle for quick shots, and execute on offensive end."
 
Mack Foster drew a foul on the Warhawks' trip down the floor but missed two from the charity stripe. Hewitt missed a jumper, but the Eagles retained possession and Hughes was fouled with 56 seconds remaining.
 
Georgia Southern opens a five-game homestand against Appalachian State Jan. 29, in Hanner Fieldhouse. It's a TrueBlue Out, and fans are encouraged to wear blue to support the Eagles. The game starts a stretch in which the Eagles play seven of their next eight contests at home.
 
"We know the crowd will bring a lot of energy, and we're ready to get back home," said Ferguson.
 
All-session ticket books to this year's Sun Belt Basketball Championships March 11-15, in New Orleans are available for $99 at the Georgia Southern Ticket Office. Call 1-800-GSU-WINS!
 
Georgia Southern Athletics provides up-to-date information on all its sports through its official website, GSEagles.com, through social media channels facebook.com/GSAthletics, twitter.com/GSAthletics, iOS app Georgia Southern Eagles and Android app Eagles GATA. For tickets to Georgia Southern athletics events, call 1-800-GSU-WINS or visit GSEagles.com.