Game 26: ULM (14-11, 7-6 Sun Belt) vs. UT Arlington (12-15, 8-6 Sun Belt)
Saturday, Feb. 23 | 2 p.m.
Arlington, Texas | College Park Center (10,000)
ULM Basketball Notes: Game 26 vs. UT Arlington
STORYLINE –
Fresh from its 63-60 victory over first-place Texas State on Thursday, ULM (14-11, 7-6 Sun Belt) will attempt to complete the Sun Belt road sweep at UT Arlington (12-15, 8-6) on Saturday, Feb. 23, with tipoff set for 2 p.m. The Warhawks are currently just a 1/2 game behind fourth-place UTA in the conference standings.
ULM's starting lineup features four double-figure scorers, in 6-foot-1 guard Daishon Smith (21.4 points per game; 77 3-pointers), 6-2 guard Michael Ertel (15.2 ppg., 55 3-pointers), 6-6 forward Travis Munnings (13.6 ppg., 7.5 rpg.) and 6-4 guard JD Williams (12.6 ppg.).
THE STARTING FIVE –
• ULM ranks among the NCAA Division I leaders in free-throw percentage (third at .786), 3-point field-goal percentage (11th at .392) and 3-point field goals made (25th at 9.6 per game).
The Warhawks lead the Sun Belt in free-throw percentage and assist-to-turnover ratio (1.2). ULM also ranks among the league leaders in 3-point field goals made per game (second), 3-point field-goal percentage (second), scoring offense (fourth at 77.6 points per game), scoring margin (fourth at +3.8 ppg.), turnover margin (fifth at +1.1), scoring defense (sixth at 73.7 ppg.) and assists (sixth at 13.5 pg.).
• Three-point field goals have accounted for 37 percent of ULM's scoring (241 3-pointers made; 723 of 1,939 points) in 2018-19. The Warhawks have made double-digit 3-pointers in 11 games, including seven of their first 13 Sun Belt games. ULM is averaging a league-best 10.2 3-pointers per game in Sun Belt play.
The Warhawks 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). ULM has attempted at least 20 3-pointers in 21 of their first 25 games.
In 2017-18, ULM set a school single-season record with 288 3-pointers made (previous record: 287 made, 2006-07).
• ULM is 9-1 this season when limiting its opponents to 69 points or less. The Warhawks have held five opponents to a field-goal percentage below 39 percent.
The Warhawks also have made nearly as many free throws (414) as their opponents have attempted (431) this season. Through the first 25 games, ULM has outscored its opponents, 414-302, from the free-throw line.
• ULM has compiled a 14-8 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 free-throw percentage (seventh at .892), 3-point field goals made (11th at 3.5 per game), scoring (19th at 21.4 points per game), steals (27th at 2.18 pg.) and 3-point field-goal percentage (32nd at .421). He leads the Sun Belt in four different statistical categories: 3-point field goals made per game, 3-point field-goal percentage, free-throw percentage and steals. Smith also ranks among the league leaders in scoring (third), assist-to-turnover ratio (fourth at 1.9), assists (fifth at 4.0 pg.), field-goal percentage (eighth at .459) and minutes played (ninth at 33.5 pg.).
The Jacksonville, Florida, native has scored in double figures in 20 games, including 12 20-point outings. His streak of 17-straight double-figure scoring games ended in Thursday's win at Texas State (averaged 23.1 points during that span). Smith is averaging 23.5 points, 4.8 rebounds and 4.8 assists in Sun Belt play.
• 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: 1,530 points and 869 rebounds).
In addition, Munnings became the 20th player in Sun Belt history to reach the 800-rebound career milestone.
LOOSE BALLS –
Nine of ULM's last 11 games have been decided by seven points or less (4-5 record). ... ULM has led at the half in 16 of its 25 games and outscored its opponents, 915-833, in the first half this season. ... The Warhawks have made 20 or more free throws in 10 games. ULM has shot better 80 percent or better from the free-throw line in 13 of 25 games, including nine of its last 14 contests. … ULM has outrebounded nine of its last 12 opponents, and its +10 rebound margin (37-27) in an 82-76 victory over Georgia State marked its second-largest edge of the season. ... ULM ranks among the NCAA Division I leaders in fewest fouls committed (ninth at 391). The Warhawks have been whistled for fewer fouls than their opponents in 18 of 25 games. … Only one of ULM's first 11 opponents managed for shoot 50 percent or better from the field (Ole Miss .524); however, the Warhawks have struggled on the defensive end of the floor during the second half of the season. Eight of ULM's last 14 opponents have shot 50 percent or better from the floor, including five of the last seven Sun Belt foes. ... ULM ranks second in the Sun Belt in attendance for league home games (3,768 per game) and third in overall average home attendance (2,874 per game).
THE LAST TIME OUT –
ULM 63, Texas State 60 (Feb. 21, 2019, in San Marcos, Texas): ULM limited first-place Texas State to 33 percent (21-of-64) shooting from the field and nearly 15 points below its season scoring average as the Warhawks recorded their first Sun Belt road victory, 63-60, Thursday (Feb. 21) night at Strahan Arena.
There were eight lead changes and one tie in the opening half.
ULM (14-11, 7-6 Sun Belt) jumped out to a 6-0 lead on Daishon Smith's steal and dunk with 18:22 left in the first half, but the Bobcats responded by reeling off 10-straight points to take a 10-6 lead on Eric Terry's rebound goal with 14:43 on the clock. The two teams went scoreless for nearly two minutes midway through the first half. Trailing 23-20, JD Williams hit a 3-pointer from the left corner to spark a 16-5 run as the Warhawks took a 36-28 lead into the halftime intermission. ULM outscored Texas State, 11-2, over the last 4:59, with the Bobcats' only points coming from the free-throw line with 22 seconds left in the half.
The Warhawks hit 15-of-28 first-half field-goal attempts (54 percent) while holding Texas State to 9-of-30 shooting (30 percent) from the floor.
The Bobcats cut their deficit to four points at 42-38 as Alex Peacock drove the left side of the lane for a layup with 14:02 remaining in the game. The Warhawks answered with a 6-0 spurt and pushed its lead to 10 at 48-38 on Tyree White's alley-oop dunk from Smith with 11:38 on the clock. Travis Munnings buried back-to-back 3-pointers from the left wing to give ULM its largest lead at 54-40 with 8:17 to play. Munnings accounted for eight points during a 12-2 run over a 5:28 stretch in the second half.
The Warhawks enjoyed a 12-point advantage, 59-47, after Smith connected on 3 from the right wing with 5:55 left. Tre Nottingham made a 3-pointer from straightaway to fuel an 8-2 run as Texas State (21-6, 10-4) managed to pull to within 61-55 on Nijal Pearson's layup with 1:51 remaining. Smith scored on a back-door cut from Munnings to give ULM an eight-point cushion at 63-55 at the 1:26 mark. Nottingham delivered another triple from beyond the top of the circle, and after Smith missed the front end of a one-and-one, Terry scored on a left-handed layup as the Bobcats rallied to within 63-60 with 39 seconds on the clock. In the closing seconds, Smith blocked a potential game-tying 3-point field-goal attempt by Nottingham, who collected the loose ball and launched a desperation 3 that hit high off the backboard as time expired.
Four Warhawks scored in double figures, led by Munnings and Michael Ertel who scored 13 points each. Williams added 11 points and Andre Washington came off the bench to contribute 10.
Smith, who came into the game averaging 22.0 points per game, finished with nine points, five rebounds, seven assists, a blocked shot and two steals.
Youry White, who was sidelined for the first 12 games of the season with a knee injury, earned his first career start at one of the forward positions. He scored two points, collected five rebounds and a steal in 15 minutes.
ULM's bench outscored Texas State's reserves, 15-0. The Warhawks led the game for nearly 30 of the 40 minutes.
Nottingham, who hit 5-of-14 3-pointers, scored a game-high 22 points to pace the Bobcats, while Terry recorded a double-double, finishing with 19 points and 10 rebounds (6 offensive boards).
Pearson, who came into the game with an 18.5 scoring average, went 3-for-16 from the field, including 0-for-6 from 3-point range, and finished with eight points.
UT ARLINGTON SCOUTING REPORT –
UT Arlington (12-15, 8-6 Sun Belt) enters Saturday's game against ULM with a season-long three-game losing streak. The Mavericks had won eight of their previous nine league games under first-year head coach Chris Ogden.
UTA is 7-5 in games played in College Park Center this season, including a 4-3 record in Sun Belt games.
UTA's starting lineup features two double-figure scorers, in 5-foot-9 guard Brian Warren (14.3 ppg.) and 6-0 guard Edric Dennis (14.1 ppg.). Warren (No. 15) and Dennis (No. 16) both rank among the Sun Belt's Top 20 in scoring average.
Warren also is listed among the league leaders in assist-to-turnover ratio (fifth at 1.8) and assists (ninth at 3.6 pg.). He has scored in double figures in 20 of 26 games, including five 20-point efforts. Warren hit 11-of-19 field-goal attempts and finished with a career-high 30 points in UTA's double-overtime win at Texas State (84-77).
Dennis ranks among the Sun Belt leaders in free-throw percentage (eighth at .778), 3-point field goals made (14th at 1.9 pg.).
The Mavericks have utilized 13 different starting lineups – the second most in the nation this season.
UTA ranks among the conference leaders in scoring defense (second at 70.0 ppg.), 3-point field-goal percentage defense (second at .303), field-goal percentage defense (third at .429), free-throw percentage (third at .741), rebound margin (third at +2.2 pg.) and steals (fifth at 6.4 pg.).
In league games, the Mavericks lead the Sun Belt in both field-goal percentage defense (.413) and rebound margin (+4.0 pg.).
ULM/UT ARLINGTON SERIES NOTES –
Saturday's game marks the 71st meeting between ULM and UT Arlington. The Warhawks lead the all-time series, 51-19, including a 19-11 record in games played in Arlington. UTA has won seven of the last 12 meetings.
ULM and UT Arlington split the regular-season series a year ago, with each team winning on its home floor. The Mavericks won the first meeting, 71-55, on Jan. 20, 2018, in College Park Center while the Warhawks took the second meeting, 84-71, on Feb. 15, 2018, in Fant-Ewing Coliseum.
THE LAST MEETING –
ULM 84, UT Arlington 71 (Feb. 15, 2018, in Monroe, La.): Stringing together W's has done wonders for ULM basketball's self-esteem.
The Warhawks won their third-straight game on Feb. 15 with an 84-71 decision over UT Arlington at Fant-Ewing Coliseum. Players bubbled out of the dressing room, laughing and enjoying their win.
ULM (12-12, 6-7 Sun Belt) has five wins in its last six outings and plays host to Texas State at 2 p.m. on Saturday (Feb. 17). The Warhawks got our attention with overtime road wins at Georgia Southern and Georgia State but hammered the point home again with an impressive home victory over the Sun Belt's preseason darling Mavericks.
The growing confidence was evident early when Travis Munnings soared high to block shots on successive trips and wagged his finger like former NBA player Dikembe Mutombo. Fierce defensive stands were just what coach Keith Richard wanted to see.
ULM was shooting at a 50 percent clip into the second half, which is another sign of offensive swagger. The Warhawks finished at 48 percent overall with four players in double figures scoring, spreading around buckets like peanut butter and jelly.
Munnings scored 16 points with four 3-pointers and six rebounds.
Freshman Michael Ertel led the way with 20 points, scoring his assortment inside and outside and pulling down six rebounds. Sam McDaniel, the reigning Sun Belt Player of the Week, came back with 19 points and four 3-pointres. Marvin Jean-Pierre, a sneaky good contributor who always seems to show up all over the box score, registered a double-double with 15 points and 10 rebounds.
ULM warded off the possible letdown from its road success by starting fast. The Warhawks led 41-34 by halftime and added to their momentum by making 9-of-18 3-pointers in the second half.
It was a fun night for the players and the fans, who came out to support the squad. ULM kept the good times rolling.
As the final seconds ticked away, there was Munnings clapping loudly before high-fiving the ULM bench.
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: 1,530 points and 869 rebounds).
In addition, Munnings became the 20th player in Sun Belt history to reach the 800-rebound career milestone.
DIALED IN FROM 3-POINT RANGE –
Three-point field goals have accounted for 37 percent of ULM's scoring (241 3-pointers made; 723 of 1,939 points) in 2018-19. The Warhawks have made double-digit 3-pointers in 11 games, including seven of their first 13 Sun Belt games. ULM is averaging a league-best 10.2 3-pointers per game in Sun Belt play.
The Warhawks 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). ULM has attempted at least 20 3-pointers in 21 of their first 25 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 15-2 in its last 17 games when shooting 50 percent or better from the field, with its only losses coming at Appalachian State (.527) and against Arkansas State (.509) in the 2017-18 regular-season finale. The Warhawks are 6-1 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), Little Rock (.556) and Georgia Southern (.500) and a loss at Appalachian State (.527).
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.
WARHAWK STAT LEADERS –
Double-figure scoring games (86): Michael Ertel 21, Daishon Smith 20, JD Williams 19, Travis Munnings 17, Andre Washington 3, Jontray Harris 3, Brandon Newman 2, Tyree White 1. Opponents: 82.
20-point games (24): Daishon Smith 12, Michael Ertel 6, Travis Munnings 4, JD Williams 2. Opponents: 19.
30-point games (4): Daishon Smith 3, Travis Munnings 1. Opponents: 2.
40-point games (1): Daishon Smith 1. Opponents: None.
Double-figure rebounding games (8): Travis Munnings 4, Andre Washington 3, Jontray Harris 1. Opponents: 13.
Double-doubles (2): Travis Munnings 2. Opponents: 12.
Games leading ULM in scoring: Daishon Smith 13, Travis Munnings 7, Michael Ertel 5, JD Williams 2.
Games leading ULM in rebounding: Travis Munnings 14, Andre Washington 8, JD Williams 3, Jontray Harris 1, Daishon Smith 1, Andre Washington 1, Tyree White 1.
Games leading ULM in assists: Daishon Smith 15, Michael Ertel 6, Travis Munnings 5, Brandon Newman 4, Jontray Harris 2, JD Williams 2.
2018-19 ULM STARTING LINEUPS –
Different Starting Combinations (6):
Ertel, Smith, Williams, Munnings, Washington: 17 (11-6)
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)
Ertel, Smith, Williams, Munnings, Y. White: 1 (1-0)
2018-19 WARHAWK STATISTICAL TRENDS –
Games played in Fant-Ewing Coliseum: 11-1
Games played on the road: 3-10
Games played in November: 3-3
Games played in December: 4-2
Games played in January: 4-4
Games played in February: 3-2
When leading at halftime: 13-3
When trailing at halftime: 1-8
When tied at halftime: 0-0
When shooting .500 or better from the field: 6-1
When shooting less than .500 from the field: 8-10
When opponent shoots .500 or better from the field: 3-6
When opponent shoots less than .500 from the floor: 11-5
When outrebounding opponent: 8-4
When outrebounded by opponent: 5-6
When rebounding totals are equal: 1-1
When hitting more free throws than opponent: 11-5
When hitting fewer free throws than opponent: 2-4
When hitting the same number of free throws as opponent: 1-2
When committing fewer turnovers than opponent: 10-1
When opponent commits fewer turnovers: 4-9
When turnover totals are equal: 0-1
When ULM scores 50-59 points: 0-2
When ULM scores 60-69 points: 1-2
When ULM scores 70-79 points: 4-5
When ULM scores 80-89 points: 5-2
When ULM scores 90-99 points: 4-0
When opponent scores 50-59 points: 3-0
When opponent scores 60-69 points: 6-1
When opponent scores 70-79 points: 3-4
When opponent scores 80-89 points: 1-5
When opponent scores 90-99 points: 1-1
Games decided by five points or less: 3-3
Games decided by 6-10 points: 5-4
Games decided by 11-19 points: 3-2
Games decided by 20 points or more: 3-2
Last five games: 3-2
Last 10 games: 5-5
Largest deficit overcome to win: 6 (3x), (12-6 vs. Georgia Southern, Feb. 8); (8-2 vs. Troy, Jan. 24); and (6-0 vs. Little Rock, Jan. 3)
Largest lead surrendered in a loss: 14, (53-39 at Georgia Southern, Jan. 10)
