Game 27: Appalachian State (9-18, 4-10 Sun Belt) vs. ULM (14-12, 7-7 Sun Belt)
Thursday, Feb. 28 | 7 p.m.
Monroe, La. | Fant-Ewing Coliseum (7,000)
ULM Basketball Notes: Game 27 vs. Appalachian State
THURSDAY'S BOGO (Buy One, Get One Free) TICKET PROMOTION
Purchase a courtside ($25), reserved seat ($15) or general admission ($10) ticket and receive a second one of the same value for free to the Feb. 28 game against Appalachian State.
STORYLINE –
ULM (14-12, 7-7 Sun Belt) opens its final homestand of the regular season against Appalachian State (9-18, 4-10) on Thursday, Feb. 28 at 7 p.m. App State won the first meeting this season, 85-84, in Boone, N.C. ULM is 11-1 in Fant-Ewing Coliseum this season, including a 6-1 record in league play, while averaging 84.4 points per game.
ULM's starting lineup features four double-figure scorers, in 6-foot-1 guard Daishon Smith (22.0 points per game; 83 3-pointers), 6-2 guard Michael Ertel (15.5 ppg., 59 3-pointers), 6-6 forward Travis Munnings (13.5 ppg., 7.7 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 .789), 3-point field-goal percentage (16th at .387) and 3-point field goals made (26th at 9.7 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 77.9 points per game), scoring margin (fourth at +3.5 ppg.), turnover margin (fifth at +1.0), scoring defense (sixth at 74.4 ppg.) and assists (sixth at 13.6 pg.).
ULM's 77.9 scoring average is the program's highest in 19 years (since averaging 78.4 ppg. in 1999-2000).
• Three-point field goals have accounted for 37 percent of ULM's scoring (251 3-pointers made; 753 of 2,025 points) in 2018-19. The Warhawks have made double-digit 3-pointers in 12 games, including eight of their first 14 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 22 of their first 26 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 (434) as their opponents have attempted (453) this season. Through the first 26 games, ULM has outscored its opponents, 434-321, from the free-throw line.
• ULM has compiled a 14-9 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 (10th at 3.61 per game), free-throw percentage (16th at .886), scoring (20th at 22.0 points per game), steals (24th at 2.22 pg.) and 3-point field-goal percentage (40th at .415). He joins Murray State's Ja Morant as the only two players in NCAA Division I who are averaging at least 20.0 points, 4.0 rebounds, 4.0 assists and 2.0 steals per game this season (research: Sports Reference CBB).
He leads the Sun Belt in three different statistical categories: 3-point field goals made per game, free-throw percentage and steals. Smith also ranks among the league leaders in scoring (second), 3-point field-goal percentage (second), assist-to-turnover ratio (fourth at 1.9), assists (fifth at 4.0 pg.), field-goal percentage (eighth at .453) and minutes played (seventh at 34.2 pg.).
The Jacksonville, Florida, native has scored in double figures in 21 games, including 13 20-point outings. His streak of 17-straight double-figure scoring games ended in ULM's win at Texas State (averaged 23.1 points during that span). Smith is averaging 24.2 points, 4.9 rebounds and 4.6 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: 1,542 points and 881 rebounds).
In addition, Munnings became the 20th player in Sun Belt history to reach the 800-rebound career milestone.
LOOSE BALLS –
Ten of ULM's last 12 games have been decided by seven points or less (4-6 record). ... ULM has led at the half in 16 of its 26 games and outscored its opponents, 941-869, in the first half this season. ... The Warhawks have made 20 or more free throws in 11 games. ULM has shot better 80 percent or better from the free-throw line in 14 of 26 games, including 10 of its last 15 contests. … ULM has outrebounded nine of its last 13 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 (15th at 410). The Warhawks have been whistled for fewer fouls than their opponents in 18 of 26 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 15 opponents have shot 50 percent or better from the floor, including five of the last eight Sun Belt foes. ... ULM ranks third in the Sun Belt in overall average home attendance (2,874 per game) and third in attendance for league home games (3,768 per game).
APPALACHIAN STATE SCOUTING REPORT –
Appalachian State (9-18 overall, 4-10 Sun Belt) has lost four of its last five conference games. Six of the Mountaineers' league losses have come by a combined total of 18 points. Overall, App State has lost 10 games by eight points or less.
The Mountaineers are 1-11 in true road games this season.
App State's starting lineup features three double-figure scorers, in 6-foot-5 guard Ronshad Shabazz (17.7 ppg., 61 3-pointers), 6-2 guard Justin Forrest (16.0 ppg., 54 3-pointers) and 6-9 forward Isaac Johnson (10.2 ppg., 8.8 rpg.).
Shabazz ranks among the Sun Belt's Top 10 in free-throw percentage (tied for fourth at .800), 3-point field goals made (eighth at 2.3 pg.) and scoring (10th at 17.7 ppg.). He has produced 13 20-point games this season, including a career-high 37 against Ball State. Shabazz ranks as the second-leading scorer in App State history with 1,960 career points.
Forest has scored in double figures in 20 games, including 10 of his last 11 outings. He hit 11-of-18 field-goal attempts, including 6-of-9 3-pointers, in this season's first meeting against ULM and finished with a season-high 32 points.
Johnson, who leads the Sun Belt in rebounding, has recorded six double-doubles this season. He posted 10 points and 14 rebounds in App State's 104-77 win over ULL.
As a team, App State ranks among the Sun Belt leaders in scoring offense (third at 80.3 ppg.), 3-point field goals made (tied for third at 9.0 pg.), field-goal percentage (sixth at .456), 3-point field-goal percentage (sixth at .358), free-throw percentage (sixth at .715), offensive rebounds (sixth at 9.9 pg.) and turnover margin (sixth at +1.3 pg.).
ULM/APP STATE SERIES NOTES –
Thursday's game marks just the eighth meeting between ULM and Appalachian State. The Warhawks lead the all-time series, 4-3, including a 2-1 record in games played in Fant-Ewing Coliseum. ULM won four of the first five meetings in the series, but App State has won the last two.
THE LAST MEETING –
Appalachian State 85, ULM 84 (Feb. 2, 2019, in Boone, N.C.): Justin Forrest scored a season-high 32 points and Hunter Seacat blocked a potential game-winning lay-up attempt in the closing seconds as Appalachian State defeated ULM, 85-84, last Saturday. It marked the Mountaineers' third-straight Sun Belt Conference win.
There were eight ties and three lead changes in the first half. Michael Ertel scored seven consecutive points as ULM jumped out to an 11-3 lead on his 3-pointer from the left wing with 16:57 left in the opening half. Forrest accounted for 16 points during a 19-6 run as App State took a 22-17 lead with 12:47 remaining. The Warhawks answered with a 13-5 spurt and built a 30-27 lead on JD Williams' layup off a steal by Travis Munnings with 8:58 to play. ULM went scoreless for the final 2:47, while the Mountaineers scored the last six points of the half and took a 46-40 advantage to the locker room.
Forrest connected on 7-of-8 first-half field-goal attempts, including 4-of-5 3-pointers, to account for 22 of App State's 46 points. As a team, the Mountaineers shot 61 percent (17-of-28) from the floor, including 7-of-13 from behind the 3-point arc.
App State (8-14, 3-6 Sun Belt) opened the second half with a 7-0 run and built its largest lead at 53-40 on Ronshad Shabazz's 3 from the right wing with 18:17 on the clock. Williams buried a 3-pointer from the left wing to spark a 14-6 spurt, and ULM (11-10, 4-5) cut its deficit to five at 59-54 on his layup with 12:48 remaining. Trailing 64-57, the Warhawks put together an 8-0 run and regained the lead at 65-64 as Williams converted 1-of-2 free-throw attempts with 9:46 to play. There were five ties and four lead changes over the final 10 1/2 minutes. The Mountaineers outscored ULM, 10-4, over a 3:30 stretch and took an 83-77 lead on Tyrell Johnson's trey from the left corner with 2:50 left. Ertel finished a traditional 3-point play and Williams added two free throws as the Warhawks pulled to within one at 83-82 with 2:05 remaining. With App State leading 85-84, Seacat missed the front end of a one-and-one with 11.8 seconds and ULM's Andre Washington collected the rebound. In the closing seconds, Ertel drove the left side of the lane and his lay-up attempt was blocked by Seacat to preserve the one-point victory.
Forrest hit 11-of-18 shots from the floor, including 6-of-9 3s, to lead a well-balanced scoring attack. The Mountaineers also got 13 points from Isaac Johnson, 12 from Shabazz and 11 each from Adrian Delph and Tyrell Johnson.
For the game, App State shot 56 percent (31-of-55) from the field, including 14-of-26 from 3-point range.
Ertel and Williams combined for 49 points to pace the Warhawks. Ertel, who made 10-of-16 field-goal attempts including 3-of-6 3-pointers, finished with a career-high 26 points. Williams, who scored 15 of his 23 points in the second half, went 8-of-12 from the field, including 2-of-3 from behind the 3-point arc, and matched his career high with three steals.
Daishon Smith added 11 points for ULM.
The Warhawks also executed at a high level offensively, hitting 29-of-55 field-goal attempts (53 percent) including 10-of-21 3s (48 percent). ULM outrebounded App State, 31-23, and held a 13-4 advantage in second-chance points.
THE LAST MEETING IN MONROE –
Appalachian State 79, ULM 73 (Jan. 6, 2018): Appalachian State shot 59 percent (16-of-27) from the field in the second half to erase an 11-point deficit and claim a 79-73 road win at ULM. The Mountaineers outscored ULM, 13-2, over the final 3:52.
The Warhawks jumped out to a 13-5 lead on a 3-pointer from Travis Munnings with 13:20 left in the first half. ULM matched its biggest lead of the first half at 21-13 on a 3-pointer from Marvin Jean-Pierre. App State answered with a 16-7 run and took its first lead at 29-28 on a 3-pointer from Isaac Johnson with 4:27 to play in the opening half. The Warhawks responded with a 7-0 spurt to build a 35-29 lead on Michael Ertel's 3-pointer with 2:05 remaining in the first half. The Mountaineers pulled to within three at the break, 37-34, on Craig Hinton's jumper with :02 left.
A layup by Sam Alabakis gave ULM its largest lead at 54-43 with 14:48 to play in the second half. App State (8-9, 3-1 Sun Belt) went on a 19-9 run and cut its deficit to 63-62 when Ronshad Shabazz made 1-of-2 free throws with 7:24 left. The Warhawks pushed its lead back to five at 71-66 on Jean-Pierre's layup with 4:04 remaining. Griffin Kinney's dunk ignited App State's decisive 13-2 spurt, and the Mountaineers took the lead for good at 72-71 on a pair of free throws from Isaac Johnson with 2:10 on the clock. App State made four of its last five field-goal attempts while ULM (7-8, 1-3) went 1-for-7 from the floor over the last 3:52.
Shabazz hit 8-of-13 shots from the field, including 4-of-6 3-pointers, and finished with a game-high 22 points. Three other Mountaineers scored in double figures, as Justin Forrest added 14 points, O'Showen Williams 12 and Hinton 11.
Four Warhawks reached double figures in scoring, led by Harris who netted a season-high 17 points, to go along with a career-high six rebounds and five assists. ULM also got 15 points from Ertel, 13 from Munnings and 11 from Jean-Pierre.
The Warhawks outrebounded App State, 37-26.
WARHAWKS START 11-1 IN FANT-EWING COLISEUM –
ULM is 11-1 at home this season, including a 6-1 record in Sun Belt play, while averaging 84.4 points per game and shooting 47 percent (330-of-701) from the field including 40 percent (124-of-309) from behind the 3-point arc. In addition, the Warhawks have limited their opponents to 72.0 points per game while shooting at a 46-percent clip (317-of-696) from the floor, including 37 percent (93-of-250) on 3-pointers. ULM also has a turnover margin of +4.3 per game at home.
The Warhawks have frequently gotten off to quick starts at home, outscoring their opponents by 109 points in the first half, 477-368. In its 12 home games, ULM has trailed for just 48:21 out of a possible 480 minutes. The Warhawks trailed Troy for 10:46 in the first half before taking a 31-27 lead at the intermission. Despite leading for just 8:27, South Alabama ended ULM's nine-game home winning streak, 78-72, thanks to a 12-6 run over the final 2:07.
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 (90): Michael Ertel 22, Daishon Smith 21, JD Williams 20, Travis Munnings 18, Andre Washington 3, Jontray Harris 3, Brandon Newman 2, Tyree White 1. Opponents: 85.
20-point games (26): Daishon Smith 13, Michael Ertel 7, Travis Munnings 4, JD Williams 2. Opponents: 20.
30-point games (5): Daishon Smith 4, Travis Munnings 1. Opponents: 3.
40-point games (1): Daishon Smith 1. Opponents: None.
Double-figure rebounding games (9): Travis Munnings 5, Andre Washington 3, Jontray Harris 1. Opponents: 13.
Double-doubles (3): Travis Munnings 3. Opponents: 12.
Games leading ULM in scoring: Daishon Smith 14, Travis Munnings 7, Michael Ertel 5, JD Williams 2.
Games leading ULM in rebounding: Travis Munnings 15, 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 7, 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, Smith, Williams, Munnings, Y. White: 2 (1-1)
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: 11-1
Games played on the road: 3-11
Games played in November: 3-3
Games played in December: 4-2
Games played in January: 4-4
Games played in February: 3-3
When leading at halftime: 13-3
When trailing at halftime: 1-9
When tied at halftime: 0-0
When shooting .500 or better from the field: 6-1
When shooting less than .500 from the field: 8-11
When opponent shoots .500 or better from the field: 3-6
When opponent shoots less than .500 from the floor: 11-6
When outrebounding opponent: 8-4
When outrebounded by opponent: 5-7
When rebounding totals are equal: 1-1
When hitting more free throws than opponent: 11-6
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: 0-2
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: 5-3
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: 1-2
Games decided by five points or less: 3-4
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)
