Game 17: RAGIN' CAJUNS (11-6, 2-2) vs. ULM (9-7, 2-2)
Saturday, Jan. 19 | 2 p.m.
Monroe, La. | Fant-Ewing Coliseum (7,000)
ULM Basketball Notes: Game 17 vs. Ragin' Cajuns
SATURDAY'S #FILLFANT TICKET PROMOTION
Warhawk Nation: Let's fill Fant-Ewing Coliseum for Saturday's Sun Belt Conference showdown against the Ragin' Cajuns. Tickets are priced at just $8 for reserved seats (regular price: $15) and $5 for general admission (regular price: $10).
Note: The Fant-Ewing Ticket Office opens Saturday at noon (doors open at 1 p.m.).
STORYLINE –
Following back-to-back one-point road losses at Georgia Southern and Georgia State, ULM (9-7, 2-2) resumes Sun Belt play against the Ragin' Cajuns (11-6, 2-2) on Saturday, Jan. 19 at 2 p.m. in Fant-Ewing Coliseum. The two teams are tied for fifth in the conference standings. The Warhawks are a perfect 7-0 at home this season while averaging 85.3 points per game.
ULM's starting lineup features four double-figure scorers, in 6-foot-1 guard Daishon Smith (20.8 points per game; 46 3-pointers), 6-2 guard Michael Ertel (15.0 ppg., 34 3-pointers), 6-6 forward Travis Munnings (13.1 ppg., 7.2 rpg.), and 6-4 guard JD Williams (12.9 ppg.).
THE STARTING FIVE –
• ULM is a perfect 7-0 at home this season, averaging 85.3 points per game while shooting 48 percent (192-of-400) from the field including 43 percent (77-of-181) from behind the 3-point arc. In addition, the Warhawks have limited their opponents to 66.7 points per game while shooting at a 43-percent clip (171-of-401) from the floor, including 36 percent (53-of-149) on 3-pointers. ULM also has a turnover margin of +6.6 per game at home.
• ULM is 7-1 this season when limiting its opponents to 69 points or less. The Warhawks have held four opponents to a field-goal percentage below 39 percent. Only three opponents (Ole Miss .524, LSU .525 and Little Rock .620) have managed to shoot better than 50 percent from the field against ULM.
The Warhawks also have made more free throws (269) than their opponents have attempted (260) this season. Through the first 16 games, ULM has outscored its opponents, 269-170, from the free-throw line.
• ULM ranks among the NCAA Division I leaders in free-throw percentage (sixth at .780), 3-point field-goal percentage (ninth at .398) and 3-point field goals made (No. 33 at 9.8 per game). The Warhawks lead the Sun Belt in those three statistical categories: 3-point field-goal percentage, 3-point field goals made and free-throw percentage. ULM also ranks among the league leaders in assist-to-turnover ratio (second at 1.1), scoring margin (third at +5.8 ppg.), scoring defense (fourth at 70.4 points per game), field-goal percentage defense (fifth at .435), 3-point field-goal percentage defense (fifth at .330) and turnover margin (fifth at +1.8).
• ULM senior forward Travis Munnings needs three rebounds against the Ragin' Cajuns Saturday to become just the fourth player in school history to score at least 1,000 career points and collect at least 800 career rebounds. The 6-foot-6, 200-pound Munnings enters Saturday's game with 1,399 career points and 797 career rebounds.
Current members of ULM's 1,000/800 Club include Calvin Natt (1975-79: 2,581 points and 1,285 rebounds), Henry Steele (1968-72: 1,933 points and 1,161 rebounds) and Bill Snellings (1966-71: 1,215 points and 1,093 rebounds).
• ULM has compiled a 9-4 record with senior guard Daishon Smith in the starting lineup (sidelined for three games with a hamstring injury; DNP in road games at Texas, Michigan State and Tennessee Tech). Smith ranks among the NCAA Division I leaders in 3-point field goals made (15th at 3.54 per game), 3-point field-goal percentage (17th at .460) and scoring (No. 28 at 20.8 points per game). He leads the Sun Belt in 3-point field-goal percentage and 3-point field goals made. Smith also ranks among the league leaders in scoring (second), free-throw percentage (second at .865), steals (tied for third at 2.0 pg.), field-goal percentage (seventh at .494), assist-to-turnover ratio (seventh at 1.5) and assists (10th at 3.3 pg.).
The Jacksonville, Florida, native has scored in double figures in 12 games, including seven 20-point outings. Smith has scored in double figures in nine-straight games, averaging 22.3 points during that span. He is averaging 26.0 points, 4.3 rebounds and 4.0 assists in Sun Belt play.
THE LAST TIME OUT –
Georgia State 74, ULM 73 (Jan. 12, 2019, in Atlanta): D'Marcus Simonds scored a game-high 28 points, including the game-winning layup with 0.9 seconds left, to give Georgia State a 74-73 victory over ULM Saturday, Jan. 12 in the GSU Sports Arena.
ULM (9-7, 2-2 Sun Belt) staged a furious second-half comeback, outscoring GSU, 32-10, to erase a 21-point deficit and claimed a 73-72 lead on Daishon Smith's layup with 5.5 seconds left. Following a 30-second timeout, Simonds took a pass from Kane Williams and drove from the top of the 3-point arc all the way to the basket without a dribble, splitting two defenders, to score a controversial game-winning basket.
Late Saturday, the Sun Belt Conference issued a one-game suspension for the officiating crew.
"When such an egregious error occurs that directly determines the outcome of a game, it cannot be ignored," Sun Belt Commissioner Karl Benson said.
There were two ties and three lead changes in the first half.
ULM jumped out to a 10-7 lead on Tyree White's 12-foot jumper from the left baseline with 16:08 left in the opening half. The Panthers scored six-straight points and took a 13-10 lead on Simonds' 3-pointer from the top of the circle. GSU put together an 11-3 run midway through the first half to build a 12-point lead at 33-21 on Devin Mitchell's deep 3 from the right wing with 4:55 remaining. The Panthers took a 39-28 lead to the locker room, thanks to Malik Benlevi's tip-in with one second left in the first half.
The Warhawks shot a dismal 24 percent (7-of-29) from the field in the first half, including just 3-of-20 from 3-point range (15 percent).
Simonds netted 14 first-half points for GSU, hitting 6-of-11 shots from the floor, including 2-of-5 3-pointers.
Early in the second half, GSU outscored ULM, 17-5, over a stretch of 4:21 to build its largest lead at 62-41 on Mitchell's trey from the left corner with 12:21 to play. Michael Ertel's 3-pointer from the top of the circle sparked a 12-0 run as the Warhawks pulled to within eight at 64-56 on two free throws by JD Williams with 7:48 left. Trailing 72-60, a conventional three-point play from Travis Munnings fueled a 13-0 spurt and ULM regained the lead at 73-72 on a nifty feed from Ertel to Smith for a layup with 5.5 seconds on the clock.
ULM made 15-of-28 second-half field-goal attempts (54 percent), including 5-of-11 3-pointers (46 percent). The Warhawks outrebounded GSU, 23-13, in the second half and finished with a +12 rebound margin at 44-32.
Williams and Ertel combined for 37 points as four Warhawks posted double figures. Williams scored a team-high 19 points, with 12 coming in the second half. Ertel, who made 5-of-6 second-half field-goal attempts including 3-for-3 from behind the 3-point arc, netted 15 second-half points and finished with 18. Munnings recorded his first double-double of the season and 14th of his career with 11 points and 13 rebounds (four offensive boards). Smith contributed 11 points, five rebounds, five assists and three steals.
Georgia State (13-4, 4-0) also got 16 points from Mitchell, who shot 6-of-13 from the floor including 4-of-10 from 3-point distance.
RAGIN' CAJUN SCOUTING REPORT –
The Ragin' Cajuns, who have won four of their last six games, are off to an 11-6 start, including a 2-2 record in Sun Belt games. ULL opened conference play with a 94-83 home-court loss against Arkansas State but rebounded to split the weekend with a 75-61 victory over Little Rock. Last week, the Ragin' Cajuns dropped the opening game of the road swing at Georgia State, 89-76, before bouncing back with an 87-85 win at Georgia Southern.
ULL's starting lineup features three double-figure scorers, in 6-foot-8 forward JaKeenan Gant (19.8 ppg., 8.2 rpg., 3.0 bpg.), 6-2 guard Marcus Stroman (12.1 ppg., 4.6 rpg., 6.4 apg.) and 6-6 junior Justin Miller (10.4 ppg., 7.8 rpg.).
Gant ranks among the Sun Belt's Top 10 in six different statistical categories: first in blocked shots, second in field-goal percentage (.545), third in rebounding, third in offensive rebounds (2.8 pg.), fourth in free-throw percentage (.824) and fifth in scoring. The senior from Springfield, Georgia, is averaging 30.5 points and 10.0 rebounds in league games. Gant has recorded five double-doubles, including his last three Sun Belt games.
Stroman, who leads the league in assists at 6.4 per game, has produced double-digit assists in three games. He also has scored in double figures in 10 games.
Miller has posted three double-doubles, including 13 points and 13 rebounds at Georgia State.
The Ragin' Cajuns rank among the Sun Belt leaders in scoring offense (second at 82.6 ppg.), free-throw percentage (second at .758), offensive rebounding (second at 11.9 pg.), 3-point field goals made (third at 9.2 pg.), turnover margin (third at +2.5 pg.), steals (third at 8.0 pg.), rebounding (fourth at 36.6 pg.), assists (fourth at 15.2 pg.), assist-to-turnover ratio (fourth at 1.0), blocked shots (fourth at 4.4 pg.) and scoring margin (sixth at +3.6 ppg.).
Ninth-year ULL head coach Bob Marlin launched his coaching career as a graduate assistant (1981-83) at ULM under legendary coach Mike Vining, who now serves as color analyst on ESPN+ broadcasts originating from the Monroe campus.
ULM/RAGIN' CAJUNS SERIES NOTES –
Saturday's game marks the 78th meeting between ULM and ULL. The Ragin' Cajuns lead the all-time series, 51-26, including a 20-17 record in games played in Monroe. ULL has won the last five meetings in the series. Five of the last 10 meetings have been decided by nine points or less. ULM's last win in the series came on Dec. 3, 2015, 81-70.
Last season, the Ragin' Cajuns swept the regular-season series, winning 82-48 in Lafayette and 80-59 in Fant-Ewing Coliseum.
THE LAST MEETING –
Ragin' Cajuns 80, ULM 59 (Feb. 3, 2018): Frank Bartley led five players in double figures with 22 points as Louisiana Lafayette won its 10th consecutive Sun Belt game, defeating ULM, 80-59, Saturday, Feb. 3 at Fant-Ewing Coliseum. ULL never trailed and broke open a tight game by outscoring the Warhawks, 42-26, in the second half.
Bartley hit back-to-back 3-pointers from the left corner as the Ragin' Cajuns jumped out to an 8-0 lead. Jordon Harris scored on a layup over JaKeenan Gant and Marvin Jean-Pierre completed a three-point play as ULM pulled to within 11-8 with 14:08 left in the first half. ULL answered with a 9-0 run to build a 12-point lead at 20-8 on Gant's layup with 10:40 remaining in the opening half. Trailing 35-24, ULM outscored the Ragin' Cajuns, 9-3, over the final 3:35 to cut its halftime deficit to 38-33. Bartley and Malik Marquetti combined for 24 first-half points.
ULL (20-3, 10-0 Sun Belt) opened the second half with a 7-2 spurt to extend its lead to 45-35 on Bryce Washington's layup with 17:44 to play. Sam McDaniel scored on a layup and made 1-of-2 free throws after a technical foul as ULM (9-12, 3-7) closed the gap to 45-38 with 17:00 on the clock. The Ragin' Cajuns took control of the game with a 14-0 run as Bartley's two free throws gave ULL a 59-38 advantage. The Warhawks went scoreless for 4:36, missing six-straight shots from the floor and committing two turnovers during that decisive stretch. Washington's layup gave ULL its largest lead at 80-52 with 3:57 left.
For the game, ULL shot 55 percent (29-of-53) from the field, including 45 percent (9-of-20) from 3-point range. The Ragin' Cajuns outrebound ULM, 34-38, including an 18-9 margin in the second half.
ULM hit just 38 percent (22-58) of its shots from the floor, including 13 percent (2-of-15) from behind the 3-point arc. The Warhawks missed all eight of their 3-point field-goal attempts in the second half.
Bartley scored 13 of his game-high 22 points in the first half. Marquetti hit 6-of-11 field-goal attempts, including 4-of-5 3-pointers, and finished with 17 points. The Ragin' Cajuns also got 14 points from Gant and 12 each from Washington and Johnathan Stove.
Harris led ULM with 16 points while Travis Munnings contributed 14 points, with 10 coming in the first half.
MUNNINGS SET TO JOIN EXCLUSIVE 1,000/800 CLUB –
ULM senior forward Travis Munnings needs three rebounds against the Ragin' Cajuns Saturday to become just the fourth player in school history to score at least 1,000 career points and collect at least 800 career rebounds. The 6-foot-6, 200-pound Munnings enters Saturday's game with 1,399 career points and 797 career rebounds.
Current members of ULM's 1,000/800 Club include Calvin Natt (1975-79: 2,581 points and 1,285 rebounds), Henry Steele (1968-72: 1,933 points and 1,161 rebounds) and Bill Snellings (1966-71: 1,215 points and 1,093 rebounds).
WARHAWKS REMAIN UNBEATEN IN FANT-EWING COLISEUM –
ULM is a perfect 7-0 at home this season, averaging 85.3 points per game while shooting 48 percent (192-of-400) from the field including 43 percent (77-of-181) from behind the 3-point arc. In addition, the Warhawks have limited their opponents to 66.7 points per game while shooting at a 43-percent clip (171-of-401) from the floor, including 36 percent (53-of-149) on 3-pointers. ULM also has a turnover margin of +6.6 per game at home.
The Warhawks have consistently gotten off to a quick start at home, outscoring their opponents by 80 points in the first half, 280-200. In its seven home games, ULM has trailed for 12:18 out of a possible 280 minutes.
DIALED IN FROM 3-POINT RANGE –
Three-point field goals have accounted for 38 percent of ULM's scoring (156 3-pointers made; 468 of 1,219 points) in 2018-19. The Warhawks have attempted at least 20 3-pointers in 12 of their first 16 games.
In 2017-18, ULM set a school single-season record with 288 3-pointers made (previous record: 287 made, 2006-07).
ULM TOUGH TO BEAT WHEN SHOOTING 50 PERCENT OR BETTER FROM THE FIELD –
ULM is 14-1 in its last 15 games when shooting 50 percent or better from the field, with its only loss coming in the 2017-18 regular-season finale against Arkansas State (.509). The Warhawks are a perfect 5-0 when hitting 50 percent or better from the floor in 2018-19, with wins over Millsaps (.516), Northwestern State (.509), Nicholls State (season-best .559), Coppin State (.500) and Little Rock (.556).
RICHARD REACHES COACHING MILESTONES –
With an 80-63 victory over Coppin State on Dec. 21, Keith Richard reached two coaching milestones by recording his 100th win at ULM and his 250th career win.
2018-19 ULM STARTING LINEUPS –
Different Starting Combinations (5):
Ertel, Smith, Williams, Munnings, Washington: 9 (7-2)
Ertel, Smith, Williams, Munnings, T. White: 3 (1-2)
Ertel, Harris, Williams, Munnings, T. White: 2 (0-2)
Ertel, Smith, Harris, Munnings, Washington: 1 (1-0)
Ertel, Harris, Williams, Munnings, Washington: 1 (0-1)
2018-19 WARHAWK STATISTICAL TRENDS –
Games played in Fant-Ewing Coliseum: 7-0
Games played on the road: 2-7
Games played in November: 3-3
Games played in December: 4-2
Games played in January: 2-2
When leading at halftime: 8-2
When trailing at halftime: 1-5
When tied at halftime: 0-0
When shooting .500 or better from the field: 5-0
When shooting less than .500 from the field: 4-7
When opponent shoots .500 or better from the field: 2-2
When opponent shoots less than .500 from the floor: 7-5
When outrebounding opponent: 4-2
When outrebounded by opponent: 4-5
When rebounding totals are equal:1-0
When hitting more free throws than opponent: 8-4
When hitting fewer free throws than opponent: 0-1
When hitting the same number of free throws as opponent: 1-2
When committing fewer turnovers than opponent: 8-1
When opponent commits fewer turnovers: 1-5
When turnover totals are equal: 0-1
When ULM scores 50-59 points: 0-2
When ULM scores 60-69 points: 0-2
When ULM scores 70-79 points: 3-3
When ULM scores 80-89 points: 3-0
When ULM scores 90-99 points: 3-0
When opponent scores 50-59 points: 3-0
When opponent scores 60-69 points: 4-1
When opponent scores 70-79 points: 1-3
When opponent scores 80-89 points: 1-3
When opponent scores 90-99 points: 0-0
Games decided by five points or less: 1-2
Games decided by 6-10 points: 2-2
Games decided by 11-19 points: 3-1
Games decided by 20 points or more: 3-2
Last five games: 2-3
Last 10 games: 6-4
Largest deficit overcome to win: 6 (6-0 vs. Little Rock, Jan. 3)
Largest lead surrendered in a loss: 14 (53-39 at Georgia Southern, Jan. 10)
