Game 32: ULM (17-14, 9-9 Sun Belt) vs. COASTAL CAROLINA (15-15, 9-9 Sun Belt)
Sun Belt Championship Second Round
Thursday, March 14 | 7:30 p.m.
New Orleans, La. | Lakefront Arena (8,785)
ULM Basketball Notes: Game 32 vs. Coastal Carolina
STORYLINE –
With its 89-80 victory over Appalachian State in the first round of the 2019 Sun Belt Championship, ULM (17-14,9-9) earns a second-round match up against No. 6-seed Coastal Carolina (15-15, 9-9) on Thursday, March 14 at 7:30 p.m. CCU swept the regular-season series against ULM, winning 92-81 in Conway, S.C., and 97-91 in Monroe two weeks ago to spoil Senior Day.
ULM's starting lineup features four double-figure scorers, in 6-foot-1 guard Daishon Smith (21.8 points per game; 98 3-pointers), 6-2 guard Michael Ertel (15.2 ppg., 68 3-pointers), 6-6 forward Travis Munnings (14.5 ppg., 7.7 rpg.) and 6-4 guard JD Williams (12.7 ppg.).
THE STARTING FIVE –
• ULM ranks among the NCAA Division I leaders in free-throw percentage (sixth at .778), 3-point field-goal percentage (14th at .391) and 3-point field goals made (21st at 9.8 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 78.6 points per game), scoring margin (fourth at +3.7 ppg.), assists (fifth at 13.7 pg.) and turnover margin (fifth at +1.1).
ULM's 78.6 scoring average is the program's highest in 25 years (since averaging 82.0 ppg. in 1993-94).
• Three-point field goals have accounted for 38 percent of ULM's scoring (305 3-pointers made; 915 of 2,437 points) in 2018-19. The Warhawks have made double-digit 3-pointers in 15 games, including 11 of their last 19 games. ULM averaged 10.3 3-pointers per game in Sun Belt play.
In 2018-19, ULM has shattered the school single-season record with 305 3-pointers made, breaking the previous mark set last year (288 made in 2017-18). The Warhawks broke the previous record with nine 3s in the regular-season finale at Little Rock.
ULM tied the school single-game record with 17 3s in the in the regular-season home finale against Coastal Carolina as well as the 2019 conference opener against Little Rock. (The Warhawks 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 26 of their 31 games.
• Daishon Smith, an All-Sun Belt First-Team selection and conference Newcomer of the Year, is the only player in NCAA Division I who is averaging at least 20.0 points, 4.0 rebounds, 4.0 assists and 2.0 steals per game this season (research: Sports Reference CBB). Smith ranks among the NCAA Division I leaders in 3-point field goals made (11th at 3.5 per game), scoring (22nd at 21.8 points per game), steals (22nd at 2.21 pg.), free-throw percentage (35th at .861) and 3-point field-goal percentage (55th at .398).
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 (third at 1.9), assists (fifth at 4.1 pg.), field-goal percentage (eighth at .448) and minutes played (seventh at 34.6 pg.).
The Jacksonville, Florida, native has scored in double figures in 26 games, including 16 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 averaged 23.8 points, 5.2 rebounds and 4.3 assists in Sun Belt play.
ULM has compiled a 17-11 record with Smith in the starting lineup (sidelined for three games with a hamstring injury; DNP in road games at Texas, Michigan State and Tennessee Tech).
• All-Sun Belt Third-Team selection Michael Ertel ranks second on the team in scoring (15.2 points per game), 3-point field goals made (68) and assists (83). The 6-foot-2 sophomore guard has scored in double figures in 26 games, including eight 20-point efforts. His 911 free-throw percentage (72-of-79) leads the team. Ertel also ranks among the conference leaders in minutes played (third at 35.8 per game), 3-point field goals made (eighth at 2.2 pg.), scoring (13th) and field-goal percentage (13th at .430).
• 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: 1,641 points and 921 rebounds).
With his double-double (16 points and 10 rebounds) at Arkansas State last Thursday, Munnings became just the 11th player in Sun Belt history to eclipse the 900-rebound career milestone (902).
LOOSE BALLS –
Thirteen of ULM's last 17 games have been decided by seven points or less (5-8 record). ... ULM has led at the half in 19 of its 31 games and outscored its opponents, 1,139-1,054, in the first half this season. ... The Warhawks have made 20 or more free throws in 12 games. ULM has shot better 80 percent or better from the free-throw line in 16 of 31 games, including 12 of its last 20 contests. … ULM has outrebounded 12 of its last 18 opponents, and its +10 rebound margin in the regular-season finale at Little Rock (39-29) and home-court victory over Georgia State (37-27) tied its second-largest edge of the season. ... ULM ranks among the NCAA Division I leaders in fewest fouls committed (30th at 15.7 per game). The Warhawks have been whistled for fewer fouls than their opponents in 20 of 31 games. … ULM is 10-1 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 (518) as their opponents have attempted (534) this season. Through 31 games, ULM has outscored its opponents, 518-379, from the free-throw line. ... 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. Nine of ULM's last 20 opponents have shot 50 percent or better from the floor, including six of the last 13 games. ... ULM ranks third in the Sun Belt in overall average home attendance (3,003 per game) and third in attendance for league home games (3,602 per game).
ULM/SUN BELT CHAMPIONSHIP HISTORY –
ULM is making its 13th appearance in Sun Belt Tournament history. The Warhawks are 7-11 all-time (.389) in the conference's postseason tournament, including two trips to the semifinals (2015 and 2016) and one championship game appearance (2016).
THE LAST TIME OUT –
ULM 89, Appalachian State 80 (March 12, 2019, in Monroe, La.): Travis Munnings recorded his fifth double-double of the season and 18th of his career to lead No. 7-seed ULM to an 89-80 victory over No.-10 seed Appalachian State Tuesday in a first-round game of the Sun Belt Championship. Munnings led four Warhawks in double figures as ULM improved to 13-2 in games played in Fant-Ewing Coliseum this season.
ULM (17-14) jumped out to a 13-2 lead as Michael Ertel hit a 3-pointer from the left corner with 15:12 to play in the first half. The Warhawks dominated play on both ends of the floor and built their largest lead at 22-8 on Brandon Newman's layup with 9:33 remaining in the opening half. App State (11-21) outscored ULM, 14-9, over the final 4:34 to cut its halftime deficit to six points at 42-36. Justin Forrest sparked the Mountaineer rally, scoring 15 first-half points.
Daishon Smith hit three-straight free throws and Munnings buried a 3-pointer from the right wing as ULM pushed its lead back to 11 at 50-39 with 18:08 left in the second half. Ronshad Shabazz connected on a 3 from the left wing to spark a 19-7 run, and App State took its first lead of the game at 58-57 on Hunter Seacat's layup with 13:09 on the clock. There were six lead changes and two ties over a span of 1:40 in the second half. The Warhawks took the lead for good after Tyree White collected an offensive rebound and kicked the ball back out to Smith, who drained a 3-pointer from the top of the circle to give ULM a 69-66 advantage with 10:12 remaining. ULM outscored the Mountaineers, 18-7, over the next 7:39 and matched its largest lead at 14, 87-73, on Ertel's layup with 2:33 remaining in the game.
The Warhawks shot 50 percent (31-of-62) from the floor, including 57 percent (17-of-30) in the second half, and tallied 19 assists on 31 made field goals. ULM also outrebounded App State, 31-26.
Munnings, who hit 7-of-14 shots from the field including 5-of-8 from 3-point range, also recorded four assists, without a turnover, and three steals while playing the entire 40 minutes. Four of his 12 rebounds came off the offensive glass.
ULM also got 16 points each from Ertel, Smith and JD Williams.
Ertel scored eight points over the final 4:29, including a pull-up jumper in the lane over Seacat and three layups, to help ice the game.
Smith also registered a career-high nine assists.
Forrest, who poured in 32 points in App State's 85-84 win over ULM on Feb. 2, matched his career high Tuesday night, hitting 11-of-19 field-goal attempts including three 3-pointers.
Adrian Delph went 4-of-7 from 3-point range and finished with 14 points for the Mountaineers while Shabazz and Seacat added 11 points each.
COASTAL CAROLINA SCOUTING REPORT –
Coastal Carolina (15-15 overall) won three of its last five regular-season games to finish tied for sixth in the Sun Belt standings at 9-9. Six of the Chanticleers' nine conference losses came by nine points or less.
CCU's starting lineup features two double-figure scorers, in 6-foot-7 forward Zac Cuthbertson (18.5 ppg.) and 6-1 guard DeVante' Jones (14.2 ppg.).
Cuthbertson ranks among the Sun Belt's Top 10 in field-goal percentage (fourth at .492), rebounding (fourth at 8.1 rpg.), scoring (sixth at 18.5 ppg.) and offensive rebounds (tied for 10th at 2.1 pg.). The All-Sun Belt Second-Team selection has produced 12 20-point games this season, including a career-high 31 at Tulane. With his 19-point effort against Troy in CCU's home finale, Cuthbertson scored his 1,000th career point.
Jones, who was selected Sun Belt Freshman of the Year, has scored in double figures in 14 of 18 games. He scored a season-high 30 points in CCU's 97-91 victory at ULM, hitting 11-of-20 field-goal attempts including 4-of-10 3-pointers.
As a team, Coastal Carolina ranks among the Sun Belt leaders in rebound margin (second at +4.0 rpg.), field-goal percentage defense (third at .429), 3-point field-goal percentage (third at .373), 3-point field-goal percentage defense (third at .318), scoring margin (third at +4.3 ppg.), scoring defense (fourth at 72.8 ppg.), field-goal percentage (fifth at .455), offensive rebounding (fifth at 11.0 pg.), scoring offense (sixth at 77.1 ppg.), 3-point field goals made (sixth at 8.1 pg.), assists (sixth at 13.3 pg.) and steals (sixth at 6.4 pg.).
ULM/COASTAL CAROLINA SERIES NOTES –
Thursday's Sun Belt Championship second-round game marks just the seventh meeting between ULM and Coastal Carolina. The Chanticleers lead the all-time series, 5-1, including a 2-0 record in games played at a neutral site.
CCU swept the regular-season series against ULM, winning 92-81 in Conway, South Carolina, and 97-91 in Monroe two weeks ago to spoil Senior Day.
THE REGULAR-SEASON RECAPS –
Coastal Carolina 92, ULM 81 (Jan. 31, 2019, in Conway, S.C.): Zac Cuthbertson and DeVante' Jones combined for 54 points to lead Coastal Carolina to a 92-81 victory over ULM as the Chanticleers won their fourth-straight Sun Belt Conference game.
Coastal Carolina (11-9, 5-3 Sun Belt) raced out to a 30-10 lead on Tyrell Gumbs-Frater's 3-pointer with 9:07 left in the first half. The Chanticleers hit nine of their first 14 shots from the field, including 6-of-10 from 3-point range. By comparison, ULM (11-9, 4-4) opened 4-of-16 from the floor, including 0-for-8 from behind the 3-point arc.
ULM answered with a 12-0 run with Brandon Newman connecting on a 3 from the left corner, Jontray Harris converting a traditional 3-point play and Daishon Smith burying back-to-back 3s as the Warhawks pulled to within eight at 30-22 with 6:35 to play in the opening half. Coastal Carolina led by 11 at the intermission, 46-35.
The Chanticleers opened the second half with a 15-6 spurt and matched their largest lead at 61-41 on Cuthbertson's trey from the top of the circle with 14:36 remaining. A 3-pointer from Travis Munnings from the right corner sparked a 13-2 run as ULM cut its deficit to 63-54 on Smith's pull-up jumper in the lane with 10:53 on the clock. Trailing 76-66, JD Williams hit a 3-pointer from the left wing and Munnings scored off an offensive rebound as the Warhawks rallied to within five at 76-71 with 2:50 to play. Amidou Bamba's left-handed layup gave Coastal Carolina an 80-73 advantage with 1:55 left. The Chanticleers converted 10-of-14 free-throw attempts over the final 1:34 to ice the game.
Cuthbertson scored 19 of his game-high 29 points in the second half while Jones netted a career-best 25 points and matched his career high with seven assists. The Chanticleers also got 12 points off the bench from Gumbs-Frater.
For the game, Coastal Carolina shot 53 percent (27-of-51) from the floor, including 13-of-29 3-pointers.
Four Warhawks scored in double figures, led by Munnings who tossed in 16 second-half points and finished 23, followed by Smith who poured in 21, Michael Ertel who added 15 and Williams who contributed 11.
Coastal Carolina 97, ULM 91 (March 2, 2019, in Monroe, La.): ULM waited too late to rally inside the friendly confines of Fant-Ewing Coliseum.
The Warhawks made it close after trailing by as many as 20 points. But in a game where Coastal Carolina dominated around the basket, the Warhawks fell 97-91 in the regular-season home finale.
The Chanticleers outscored ULM, 52-28, in the paint, shot 57 percent and outrebounded the Warhawks, 35-18.
ULM (15-13, 8-8) lost its second home game to drop to 12-2 at Fant-Ewing this season.
Daishon Smith scored 29 points with seven 3-pointers, Travis Munnings scored 23, Tyree White added 16 and JD Williams 11 for ULM. The Warhawks made 17-of-33 3-pointers but grew too reliant from the perimeter. The 17 3s tied ULM's single-game record.
After a close first half, Coastal Carolina (14-14, 8-8) started to run away in building a 20-point lead.
The Warhawks rallied in the final 10 minutes cutting the lead to 85-79 on a 3-pointer by White with 4:14 to play. ULM pulled within four at 90-86 on a steal and layup by Smith with 1:08 but could get no closer.
ULM shot 58 percent in the second half, including 10-of-15 3-pointers, but it wasn't enough.
DeVante' Jones paced Coastal with 30 points with Zac Cuthbertson adding 25 points.
Coastal shot 55 percent from the field in the first half and led 45-41 at halftime. The Chanticleers led by as many as six points while ULM's last lead in the game was 19-17 with 9:57 to go before the break.
Munnings was the hot man early with 14 of ULM's first 25 points to keep the Warhawks close to the red-hot Chanticleers. He made four of his first six 3-pointers and was 5-for-7 from the floor after the tip. The rest of the team started off 3-for-11 from the field, but the Warhawks ended up shooting 50 percent overall (13-of-26) and 39 percent (7-of-18) on 3-pointers.
Smith knocked down a pair of long-range 3-pointers to tie the game at 39-39 with 2:20 remaining in the half. The opening half featured seven ties.
Coastal started the second half with a 13-0 run to extend its lead to 58-41. Smith's 3-pointer ended ULM's scoring drought with 17:29 remaining.
The Chanticleers continued to dominate inside and grew their lead to 20 points at 69-49 by the 14:35 mark.
WARHAWK STAT LEADERS –
Double-figure scoring games (110): Michael Ertel 26, Daishon Smith 26, JD Williams 24, Travis Munnings 23, Andre Washington 3, Tyree White 3 Jontray Harris 3, Brandon Newman 2. Opponents: 101.
20-point games (33): Daishon Smith 16, Michael Ertel 8, Travis Munnings 7, JD Williams 2. Opponents: 26.
30-point games (5): Daishon Smith 4, Travis Munnings 1. Opponents: 6.
40-point games (1): Daishon Smith 1. Opponents: 1.
Double-figure rebounding games (12): Travis Munnings 7, Andre Washington 3, Daishon Smith 1, Jontray Harris 1. Opponents: 15.
Double-doubles (6): Travis Munnings 5, Daishon Smith 1. Opponents: 14.
Games leading ULM in scoring: Daishon Smith 17, Travis Munnings 7, Michael Ertel 5, JD Williams 2.
Games leading ULM in rebounding: Travis Munnings 19, Andre Washington 8, JD Williams 3, Daishon Smith 3, Jontray Harris 1, Andre Washington 1, Tyree White 1.
Games leading ULM in assists: Daishon Smith 17, Michael Ertel 8, Travis Munnings 6, Brandon Newman 4, JD Williams 4, Jontray Harris 2.
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 (6):
Ertel, Smith, Williams, Munnings, Washington: 17 (11-6)
Ertel, Smith, Williams, Munnings, Y. White: 6 (4-2)
Ertel, Smith, Williams, Munnings, T. White: 4 (1-3)
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: 13-2
Games played on the road: 4-12
Games played in November: 3-3
Games played in December: 4-2
Games played in January: 4-4
Games played in February: 4-3
Games played in March: 2-2
When leading at halftime: 16-3
When trailing at halftime: 1-11
When tied at halftime: 0-0
When shooting .500 or better from the field: 8-2
When shooting less than .500 from the field: 9-12
When opponent shoots .500 or better from the field: 3-7
When opponent shoots less than .500 from the floor: 14-7
When outrebounding opponent: 10-5
When outrebounded by opponent: 6-8
When rebounding totals are equal: 1-1
When hitting more free throws than opponent: 14-7
When hitting fewer free throws than opponent: 2-5
When hitting the same number of free throws as opponent: 1-2
When committing fewer turnovers than opponent: 13-2
When opponent commits fewer turnovers: 4-10
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: 5-6
When ULM scores 80-89 points: 7-3
When ULM scores 90-99 points: 4-1
When opponent scores 50-59 points: 3-0
When opponent scores 60-69 points: 7-1
When opponent scores 70-79 points: 4-5
When opponent scores 80-89 points: 2-5
When opponent scores 90-99 points: 1-3
Games decided by five points or less: 3-5
Games decided by 6-10 points: 7-5
Games decided by 11-19 points: 4-2
Games decided by 20 points or more: 3-2
Last five games: 3-2
Last 10 games: 6-4
Largest deficit overcome to win: 6 (3x), (12-6 vs. Georgia Southern, Feb. 8); (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)
