Game 19: South Alabama (9-11, 2-5 Sun Belt) vs. ULM (11-7, 4-2 Sun Belt)
Saturday, Jan. 26 | 2 p.m.
Monroe, La. | Fant-Ewing Coliseum (7,000)
ULM Basketball Notes: Game 19 vs. South Alabama
SATURDAY TICKET PROMOTION: YOUTH DAY
Youth 18 and under will receive a free general admission ticket to the Jan. 26 game against South Alabama. Following the game, children 12 and under will be permitted on the court to shoot baskets for 20 minutes. [The Fant-Ewing Coliseum Ticket Office opens at noon. Doors open at 1 p.m.]
STORYLINE –
Following consecutive wins over the Ragin' Cajuns (99-95) and Troy (75-69), ULM (11-7, 4-2 Sun Belt) concludes its three-game homestand Saturday, Jan. 26 against South Alabama (9-11, 2-5) at 2 p.m. The Warhawks are a perfect 9-0 at home this season while averaging 85.7 points per game. Last year, ULM swept the regular-season series against the Jaguars.
ULM's starting lineup features four double-figure scorers, in 6-foot-1 guard Daishon Smith (20.8 points per game; 52 3-pointers), 6-2 guard Michael Ertel (15.5 ppg., 40 3-pointers), 6-6 forward Travis Munnings (13.1 ppg., 7.2 rpg.) and 6-4 guard JD Williams (12.7 ppg.).
THE STARTING FIVE –
• ULM is a perfect 9-0 at home this season, averaging 85.7 points per game while shooting 48 percent (252-of-529) from the field including 41 percent (95-of-233) from behind the 3-point arc. In addition, the Warhawks have limited their opponents to 70.1 points per game while shooting at a 44-percent clip (229-of-526) from the floor, including 36 percent (70-of-194) on 3-pointers. ULM also has a turnover margin of +5.6 per game at home.
• ULM is 8-1 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 (305) than their opponents have attempted (303) this season. Through the first 18 games, ULM has outscored its opponents, 305-201, from the free-throw line.
• ULM ranks among the NCAA Division I leaders in free-throw percentage (fourth at .788), 3-point field-goal percentage (17th at .392) and 3-point field goals made (32nd at 9.7 per game). The Warhawks rank among the league leaders in free-throw percentage (first), 3-point field-goal percentage (second), 3-point field goals made (second), assist-to-turnover ratio (second at 1.2), scoring offense (fourth at 77.4 points per game), scoring defense (fourth at 71.7 ppg.), scoring margin (fourth at +5.7 ppg.), turnover margin (fifth at +1.8), field-goal percentage defense (sixth at .439), 3-point field-goal percentage defense (sixth at .335) and assists (sixth at 13.5 pg.).
• With his offensive rebound with 1:17 left in the first half against the Ragin' Cajuns, ULM senior forward Travis Munnings became just the fourth player in school history to score at least 1,000 career points and collect at least 800 career rebounds.
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), Bill Snellings (1966-71: 1,215 points and 1,093 rebounds) and Munnings (2015-19: 1,426 points and 812 rebounds).
• ULM has compiled an 11-4 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 (20th at 3.47 per game), scoring (30th at 20.8 points per game), free-throw percentage (32nd at .879), 3-point field-goal percentage (35th at .433) and steals (39th at 2.07 pg.). He leads the Sun Belt in 3-point field goals made and free-throw percentage. Smith also ranks among the league leaders in 3-point field-goal percentage (second), steals (third), scoring (fourth), assist-to-turnover ratio (sixth at 1.7), assists (seventh at 3.7 pg.), field-goal percentage (eighth at .469) and minutes played (14th at 31.9 pg.).
The Jacksonville, Florida, native has scored in double figures in 14 games, including eight 20-point outings. Smith has scored in double figures in 11-straight games, averaging 22.1 points during that span. He is averaging 24.3 points, 4.3 rebounds and 4.7 assists in Sun Belt play.
THE LAST TIME OUT –
ULM 75, Troy 69 (Jan. 24, 2019, in Monroe, La.): Travis Munnings and Michael Ertel scored 16 points each and Daishon Smith added 15 as ULM outlasted Troy, 75-69, Thursday to remain unbeaten (9-0) in Fant-Ewing Coliseum this season. The last four meetings in this series have been decided by six points or less.
There were four ties and three lead changes in the first half. Troy jumped out to an 8-2 lead on Javan Johnson's layup with 15:16 left in the opening half. The Warhawks pulled even at 13-13 on back-to-back layups from Smith. Ertel's left-handed layup high off the glass over Jordon Varnado gave ULM its first lead at 20-19 with 6:10 to play. The Warhawks outscored the Trojans, 7-3, over the final 2:37 of the first half, and Smith's 3-pointer from the left corner with 0.4 seconds left gave ULM a 31-27 lead at the intermission.
ULM shot 39 percent (12-of-31) from the field in the first half, including just 1-of-11 from behind the 3-point arc. The Warhawks converted Troy's 10 first-half turnovers into 13 points and outscored the Trojans, 6-0, from the free-throw line.
Troy led for 10:46 in the first half. In its eight previous home games, ULM had trailed for only 12:18 out of a possible 320 minutes.
ULM (11-7, 4-2 Sun Belt) built its largest lead at 42-32 on Munnings' 3-pointer from the left wing with 15:14 remaining in the second half. Johnson's rebound goal sparked a 13-3 run and Troy (10-9, 3-4) tied the score at 45-45 on BJ Miller's layup with 11:33 left on the clock. The Warhawks took the lead for good at 47-45 on Ertel's pull-up jumper from the left elbow with 11:03 left. Ahead 51-50, ULM put together an 8-2 run to take a 59-52 lead on Ertel's 3 from the left wing with 5:53 to play. Troy managed to cut its deficit to three points three times in the last five minutes but failed to close the margin any further. The Warhawks iced the game at the free-throw line, as Ertel and Smith each converted both ends of the one-and-one in the final 12 seconds.
ULM hit 15-of-31 field-goal attempts (48 percent) in the second half, including 5-of-11 3-pointers (45 percent). For the game, the Warhawks outrebounded the Trojans, 34-32.
Munnings netted 14 of his 16 points in the second half, hitting 6-of-7 shots from the floor including 2-of-3 3s. Ertel tallied 12 of his 16 points after the intermission, connecting on 2-of-4 3-pointers.
Tyree White and Jontray Harris combined for 16 points as ULM's bench outscored Troy's reserves, 16-6. White finished with nine points, three offensive rebounds, three assists, two blocks and a steal in 17 minutes while Harris contributed seven points and two assists in 13 minutes.
Varnado scored a game-high 29 points to pace the Trojans, connected on 12-of-19 shots from the field including 2-of-4 3-pointers. Troy also got 14 points from Alex Hicks and 12 from Johnson.
A season-best crowd of 5,107 attended Thursday's game against Troy.
SOUTH ALABAMA SCOUTING REPORT –
Under first-year head coach Richie Riley, South Alabama is off to a 9-11 start overall, including a 2-5 record in Sun Belt games. After opening league play with homecourt wins over Appalachian State (79-73) and Coastal Carolina (84-77 in double overtime), the Jaguars have lost five games in a row, including an 88-84 setback against the Ragin' Cajuns Thursday night. Four of USA's Sun Belt losses have come by a combined total of 10 points.
USA's starting lineup features three double-figure scorers, in 6-foot-7 forward Josh Ajayi (16.0 ppg., 8.4 rpg.), 6-6 forward Trhae Mitchell (14.2 ppg., 7.0 rpg.) and 6-2 guard Rodrick Sikes. Those three players are listed among the Sun Belt's Top 20 scoring leaders: Ajayi (11th), Mitchell (16th) and Sikes (20th).
Ajayi leads the conference in field-goal percentage at .572 and ranks third in rebounding at 8.4 boards per game. He has recorded eight double-doubles this season, including the last three games in a row.
Mitchell ranks among the Sun Belt's Top 10 in six different statistical categories: fourth in field-goal percentage (.519), eighth in steals (1.5 pg.), eighth in minutes played (33.0 pg.), tied for ninth in rebounding (7.0 pg.), ninth in assist-to-turnover ratio (1.7) and 10th in assists (3.5 pg.). He scored a career-high 31 points and collected 12 rebounds against the Ragin' Cajuns. Mitchell has produced five double-doubles this season.
Sikes ranks fourth in the league in both 3-point field-goal percentage (.314) and 3-point field goals made per game (2.5). The senior from Ocean Springs, Mississippi, has posted six 20-point games, including a season-high 30 against Southeast Missouri.
As a team, USA ranks among the Sun Belt leaders in blocked shots (third at 4.5 pg.), assists (fourth at 14.7 pg.), 3-point field goals made (fifth at 8.7 pg.), scoring defense (fifth at 72.5 ppg.), assist-to-turnover ratio (fifth at 1.1) and turnover margin (sixth at +0.8 pg.).
ULM/SOUTH ALABAMA SERIES NOTES –
Saturday's game marks the 25th meeting between ULM and South Alabama. The Warhawks lead the all-time series, 13-11, including a 6-6 record in games played in Monroe. ULM has won nine of the last 10 meetings overall.
Last season, the Warhawks swept the regular-season series, winning in Fant-Ewing Coliseum, 83-74, and in Mobile, 66-62.
THE LAST MEETING –
ULM 66, South Alabama 62 (Feb. 22, 2018, in Mobile, Ala.): Sam McDaniel and Michael Ertel combined for 36 points as ULM extended its Sun Belt winning streak to five games with a 66-62 victory at South Alabama. The Warhawks (14-12) have won seven of their last eight conference games, climbing from 12th (1-6) in the standings into a tie for third place at 8-7.
There were three ties and eight lead changes in the game as ULM recorded its third-straight road win in league play.
South Alabama (14-14, 7-8) jumped out to a 12-9 lead on Joe Thompson's rebound goal with 13:13 left in the first half. ULM put together a 9-0 run to build an 18-12 lead with 10:30 remaining in the opening half, as Marvin Jean-Pierre took a feed from Travis Munnings and finished off the fast break with a layup. A 3-pointer from Jordon Harris out of the left corner sparked a 14-5 spurt as the Warhawks moved out to their largest lead at 32-21 on Ertel's 18-foot jumper from straightaway with 2:46 on the clock. USA closed the first half with a 9-0 run to cut its halftime deficit to 32-30 on Dederick Lee's 3 from the top of the circle.
Ertel's 3-pointer from the right wing gave ULM a 36-30 advantage with 18:30 left in the second half. The Jaguars tied the score at 39 as Josh Ajayi drove the lane for a layup with 13:45 remaining. Jean-Pierre scored off an offensive rebound and followed with a layup as the Warhawks built a 43-39 lead with 12:31 on the clock. USA responded with a 7-2 spurt and regained the lead at 46-45 on Lee's 3-pointer from the top of the circle with 9:40 to play. ULM got back-to-back 3-pointers from McDaniel and Harris to reclaim the lead at 51-46 with 8:53 left. Trailing 53-49, the Jaguars scored seven-straight points to match their largest lead at 56-53 on Trhae Mitchell's reverse layup with 4:01 remaining. Munnings buried a 3-pointer from the top of the circle to tie the score at 56 with 3:47 to play, and he fueled a 9-0 run as ULM seized a 62-56 advantage with 38 seconds left. The Warhawks converted 7-of-10 free-throw attempts over the final 70 seconds to ice the game.
The two teams hit a combined 43-of-116 shots (37 percent) from the field, including 16-of-63 3-point attempts (25 percent).
McDaniel hit 4-of-8 3-pointers and led four ULM starters in double figures with 19 points, followed by Ertel who finished with 17. Jean-Pierre played a solid all-around game, contributing 14 points, nine rebounds and four assists, while Munnings recorded his third double-double of the season and 14th of his career with 10 points and 12 rebounds. Those four starters played the entire 40 minutes.
Sikes, who made 6-of-13 field-goal attempts including 3-of-9 3-pointers, paced the USA attack with 19 points. The Jaguars also got 12 points from Ajayi and 10 from Herb McGee.
THE LAST MEETING IN MONROE –
ULM 83, South Alabama 74 (Jan. 27, 2018): Travis Munnings led four starters in double figures with 20 points as ULM won its second-straight Sun Belt game, defeating South Alabama, 83-74, in Fant-Ewing Coliseum.
A transition layup by Munnings – off a nifty feed from Sam McDaniel – sparked a 12-2 run as the Warhawks jumped out to an 18-8 lead on Michael Ertel's 3-pointer from the right baseline. ULM outscored USA, 22-6, during a span of 5:03 and built its largest lead at 45-21 on a 3-pointer from Marvin Jean-Pierre with 2:27 left in the first half. Rodrick Sikes and Dederick Lee hit back-to-back 3s as the Jaguars cut their deficit to 18 at 45-27 with 39 seconds remaining in the opening half. The Warhawks led 47-29 at the intermission.
ULM (9-11, 3-6 Sun Belt) shot 57 percent (12-of-25) from the floor in the first half, including 4-of-10 3-pointers. The Warhawks made 11-straight field-goal attempts during a 6:57 stretch. Munnings and Ertel combined for 23 first-half points.
Lee's 3-pointer from the right corner ignited a 17-5 spurt as USA (11-11, 4-5) pulled to within nine at 60-51 on two free throws by Sikes with 13:30 remaining in the second half. The Jaguars put together a 15-7 run and cut their deficit to four at 70-66 on Sikes' 3-pointer from the right wing with 7:09 to play. Leading 74-68, ULM regained control of the game by scoring nine-straight points to push its lead back to 15 at 83-68 with 30 seconds to play.
For the game, the Warhawks hit 53 percent (29-of-55) from the field, including 9-of-21 from behind the 3-point arc, and outrebounded USA, 34-26.
Jean-Pierre connected on 7-of-8 field-goal attempts and finished with 18 points. McDaniel scored 10 of his 18 points in the second half and added eight rebounds and five assists. ULM also got 17 points and seven rebounds from Ertel.
Sikes netted 26 of his career-high 38 points in the second half. Lee came off the USA bench to score 15 points, with 12 coming after the break.
MUNNINGS JOINS EXCLUSIVE 1,000/800 CLUB –
With his offensive rebound with 1:17 left in the first half against the Ragin' Cajuns, ULM senior forward Travis Munnings became just the fourth player in school history to score at least 1,000 career points and collect at least 800 career rebounds.
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), Bill Snellings (1966-71: 1,215 points and 1,093 rebounds) and Munnings (2015-19: 1,426 points and 812 rebounds).
In addition, Munnings became the 20th player in Sun Belt history to reach the 800-rebound career milestone.
WARHAWKS REMAIN UNBEATEN IN FANT-EWING COLISEUM –
ULM is a perfect 9-0 at home this season, averaging 85.7 points per game while shooting 48 percent (252-of-529) from the field including 41 percent (95-of-233) from behind the 3-point arc. In addition, the Warhawks have limited their opponents to 70.1 points per game while shooting at a 44-percent clip (229-of-526) from the floor, including 36 percent (70-of-194) on 3-pointers. ULM also has a turnover margin of +5.6 per game at home.
The Warhawks have consistently gotten off to a quick start at home, outscoring their opponents by 98 points in the first half, 364-266. In its nine home games, ULM has trailed for 23:04 out of a possible 360 minutes. The Warhawks trailed Troy for 10:46 in the first half of Thursday night's game before taking a 31-27 lead at the intermission.
DIALED IN FROM 3-POINT RANGE –
Three-point field goals have accounted for 37 percent of ULM's scoring (174 3-pointers made; 522 of 1,393 points) in 2018-19. The Warhawks have made double-digit 3-pointers in eight games, including four of their first six Sun Belt games. ULM tied the school single-game record with 17 3s in the 2019 conference opener against Little Rock. (ULM also made 17 3-pointers in a 90-82 overtime win at Georgia State on Feb. 10, 2018). The Warhawks have attempted at least 20 3-pointers in 14 of their first 18 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: 11 (9-2)
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: 9-0
Games played on the road: 2-7
Games played in November: 3-3
Games played in December: 4-2
Games played in January: 4-2
When leading at halftime: 10-2
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: 5-7
When opponent shoots .500 or better from the field: 2-2
When opponent shoots less than .500 from the floor: 8-5
When outrebounding opponent: 6-2
When outrebounded by opponent: 4-5
When rebounding totals are equal: 1-0
When hitting more free throws than opponent: 9-4
When hitting fewer free throws than opponent: 1-1
When hitting the same number of free throws as opponent: 1-2
When committing fewer turnovers than opponent: 9-1
When opponent commits fewer turnovers: 2-5
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: 4-3
When ULM scores 80-89 points: 3-0
When ULM scores 90-99 points: 4-0
When opponent scores 50-59 points: 3-0
When opponent scores 60-69 points: 5-1
When opponent scores 70-79 points: 1-3
When opponent scores 80-89 points: 1-3
When opponent scores 90-99 points: 1-0
Games decided by five points or less: 2-2
Games decided by 6-10 points: 3-2
Games decided by 11-19 points: 3-1
Games decided by 20 points or more: 3-2
Last five games: 3-2
Last 10 games: 7-3
Largest deficit overcome to win: 6 (2x) (8-2 vs. Troy, Jan. 24); (6-0 vs. Little Rock, Jan. 3)
Largest lead surrendered in a loss: 14 (53-39 at Georgia Southern, Jan. 10)
WARHAWK STAT LEADERS –
Double-figure scoring games (60): Michael Ertel 15, Daishon Smith 14, JD Williams 13, Travis Munnings 11, Jontray Harris 3, Brandon Newman 1, Andre Washington 2, Tyree White 1. Opponents: 58.
20-point games (17): Daishon Smith 8, Michael Ertel 5, Travis Munnings 3, JD Williams 1. Opponents: 10.
30-point games (2): Travis Munnings 1, Daishon Smith 1. Opponents: 1.
40-point games (1): Daishon Smith 1. Opponents: None.
Double-figure rebounding games (7): Travis Munnings 3, Andre Washington 3, Jontray Harris 1. Opponents: 11.
Double-doubles (1): Travis Munnings 1. Opponents: 10.
Games leading ULM in scoring: Daishon Smith 9, Travis Munnings 5, Michael Ertel 3, JD Williams 2.
Games leading ULM in rebounding: Travis Munnings 8, Andre Washington 7, JD Williams 3, Jontray Harris 1, Tyree White 1.
Games leading ULM in assists: Daishon Smith 9, Michael Ertel 5, Travis Munnings 4, Brandon Newman 3, Jontray Harris 2, JD Williams 1.
ULM & SOUTH ALABAMA PARTICIPATE IN COACHES VS. CANCER SUITS & SNEAKERS WEEK –
Sun Belt Conference men's and women's basketball programs are once again participating in Coaches vs. Cancer Suits & Sneakers Week.
During games from Jan. 17-26, Sun Belt men's and women's basketball coaches are donning Princess Lacey's laces in their sneakers and men's head coaches are wearing an exclusive Coaches vs. Cancer tie designed by Vineyard Vines to raise awareness for Princess Lacey's Legacy, in memory of 8-year-old Michigan State basketball fan Lacey Holsworth, and the fight against pediatric cancer.
Suits and Sneakers Week is a nationwide event that unites coaches across the country to raise funds and awareness about the fight against cancer and promotes the American Cancer Society as a source of inspiration and hope for those facing cancer. Coaches and their staffs across the nation wear sneakers with their suits during games to raise awareness and help save lives by raising funds and encouraging people to educate themselves about cancer prevention, screening and early detection.
The Sun Belt's participation in Suits & Sneakers Week is a part of its partnership with the American Cancer Society in the Sun Belt Fights Cancer (SunBeltFightsCancer.org) initiative. The conference's men's and women's basketball programs also will participate in the Coaches vs. Cancer 3-Point Challenge in February while the baseball and softball programs will participate in the Cover Your Bases sun safety initiative in the spring.
ABOUT COACHES VS. CANCER
For over 25 years, the Coaches vs. Cancer program, in collaboration with the National Association of Basketball Coaches, has united coaches and fans nationwide to help the American Cancer Society defeat a common enemy – cancer. With your passion and dedicated support, the impact has been felt in communities nationwide. Through fundraising and education initiatives, the Coaches vs. Cancer program has supported the American Cancer Society in improving and saving lives from cancer in the United States and worldwide.
For more information on Coaches vs. Cancer, visit CoachesvsCancer.org.
