Game 29: ULM (15-13, 8-8 Sun Belt) vs. ARKANSAS STATE (12-17, 6-10 Sun Belt)
Thursday, March 7 | 7 p.m.
Jonesboro, Ark. | First National Bank Arena (10,038)
ULM Basketball Notes: Game 29 vs. Arkansas State
STORYLINE –
ULM (15-13, 8-8 Sun Belt) opens the final week of the regular season at Arkansas State (12-17, 6-10) on Thursday, March 7 at 7 p.m. The Warhawks, 1-6 in league road games, are currently locked in a three-way tie for fifth in the Sun Belt standings. ULM's 78.5 scoring average is the program's highest in 25 years (since averaging 82.0 ppg. In 1993-94).
ULM's starting lineup features four double-figure scorers, in 6-foot-1 guard Daishon Smith (22.4 points per game; 92 3-pointers), 6-2 guard Michael Ertel (15.3 ppg., 71 3-pointers), 6-6 forward Travis Munnings (14.0 ppg., 7.5 rpg.) and 6-4 guard JD Williams (12.5 ppg.).
THE STARTING FIVE –
• ULM ranks among the NCAA Division I leaders in free-throw percentage (fifth at .779), 3-point field-goal percentage (seventh at .398) and 3-point field goals made (20th at 10.0 per game).
The Warhawks lead the Sun Belt in three different statistical categories, including 3-point field-goal percentage, 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), scoring offense (fourth at 78.5 points per game), scoring margin (fifth at +3.2 ppg.), assists (fifth at 13.7 pg.) and turnover margin (fifth at +1.1).
ULM's 78.5 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 (279 3-pointers made; 837 of 2,197 points) in 2018-19. The Warhawks have made double-digit 3-pointers in 14 games, including 10 of their first 16 Sun Belt games. ULM is averaging a league-best 10.7 3-pointers per game in Sun Belt play.
The Warhawks 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. (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 23 of their first 28 games.
In 2017-18, ULM set a school single-season record with 288 3-pointers made (previous record: 287 made, 2006-07).
• The Warhawks are 7-2 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), Georgia Southern (.500) and Appalachian State (.510) and losses at Appalachian State (.527) and against Coastal Carolina (.542).
• All-America and Sun Belt Player of the Year candidate Daishon Smith is the only player in NCAA Division I who is averaging at least 20.0 points, 4.0 rebounds, 3.5 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 (sixth at 3.68 per game), scoring (15th at 22.4 points per game), steals (18th at 2.28 pg.), 3-point field-goal percentage (36th at .420) and free-throw percentage (48th at .857).
He leads the Sun Belt in three different statistical categories: scoring, 3-point field goals made per game and steals. Smith also ranks among the league leaders in 3-point field-goal percentage (second), free-throw percentage (second), assist-to-turnover ratio (fourth at 1.8), assists (fifth at 4.0 pg.), field-goal percentage (seventh at .464) and minutes played (seventh at 34.4 pg.).
The Jacksonville, Florida, native has scored in double figures in 23 games, including 15 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 24.6 points, 4.8 rebounds and 4.5 assists in Sun Belt play.
ULM has compiled a 15-10 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).
• 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: 1,581 points and 892 rebounds).
In addition, Munnings became the 20th player in Sun Belt history to reach the 800-rebound career milestone.
LOOSE BALLS –
Twelve of ULM's last 14 games have been decided by seven points or less (5-7 record). ... ULM has led at the half in 17 of its 28 games and outscored its opponents, 1,019-947, 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 28 games, including 10 of its last 17 contests. … ULM has outrebounded nine of its last 15 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 (18th at 440). The Warhawks have been whistled for fewer fouls than their opponents in 19 of 28 games. … 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 (462) as their opponents have attempted (483) this season. Through the first 28 games, ULM has outscored its opponents, 462-345, 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 17 opponents have shot 50 percent or better from the floor, including six of the last 10 Sun Belt foes. ... ULM ranks third in the Sun Belt in overall average home attendance (2,895 per game) and third in attendance for league home games (3,602 per game).
THE LAST TIME OUT –
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 last Saturday.
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.
ARKANSAS STATE SCOUTING REPORT –
Arkansas State (12-17, 6-10 Sun Belt) is 3-5 in its last eight league games. The Red Wolves are 9-3 in games played in First National Bank Arena this season, including a 4-3 record in Sun Belt games.
A-State's starting lineup features two double-figure scorers, in 6-foot guard Ty Cockfield (21.9 ppg., 57 3-pointers) and 6-2 guard Marquis Eaton (11.1 ppg.).
Cockfield ranks among the Sun Belt's Top 10 in five different statistical categories, including scoring (second), free-throw percentage (third at .823), minutes played (sixth at 34.7 pg.), field-goal percentage (10th at .438) and assist-to-turnover ratio (10th at 1.0). His 634 points are the third-highest single-season total in A-State history. Cockfield has posted 19 20-point games this season, including a career-high 39 points against Texas State.
Eaton has scored in double figures in 15 games, with three 20-point efforts including a career-high 26 points in A-State's 83-79 home-court win over UT Arlington. The Red Wolves are 8-3 this season when he scores at least 13 points.
A-State leads the Sun Belt in offensive rebounding (12.7 pg.) while ranking among the league leaders in rebound margin (third at +2.6 pg.), blocked shots (third at 4.3 pg.), free-throw percentage (fourth at .728), field-goal percentage defense (fifth at .440) and 3-point field-goal percentage defense (sixth at .345).
ULM/ARKANSAS STATE SERIES NOTES –
Thursday's game marks the 67th meeting between ULM and Arkansas State. A-State leads the all-time series, 39-27, including a 28-5 record in games played in Jonesboro. A-State is 13-0 against ULM in games played in First National Bank Arena. Overall, the Red Wolves have won 16-straight home games against the Warhawks. ULM's last win in Jonesboro came on March 5, 1985, 70-62.
The Red Wolves have won 14 of the last 20 meetings in the series, with three of the last nine games decided in overtime.
THE LAST MEETING –
ULM 85, Arkansas State 75 (Jan. 5, 2019, in Monroe, La.): ULM ran hot and cold at Fant-Ewing Coliseum yet had enough firepower at home to squeeze out an 85-75 win over Arkansas State.
The Warhawks moved to 9-5 overall and 2-0 in the Sun Belt Conference as four players reached double figures in scoring. Daishon Smith, who scored 42 the last time out, led the Warhawks with 24 points in the win. Michael Ertel added 19 points with JD Williams and Travis Munnings scoring 18 each.
ULM saw a 19-point first-half lead disappear as Arkansas State (7-8, 1-1) drew perilously close at three points, 56-53, midway through the second half. Over the final 20 minutes, ULM shot 36 percent while the visitors shot 55 percent to make their run.
The Warhawks improved to 7-0 at home where the team is averaging better than 85 points.
Munnings, who added nine rebounds to the cause, came up big throughout the contest.
ULM shooters had the hotter hand early.
Munnings knocked down a 3-pointer to open the game and spearheaded ULM's 10-3 start with five points. The Warhawks continued to rain 3s, making 6-of-11 while building their advantage to 24-8 with 11:43 to go in the first half.
Ertel's runner with 1:29 showing gave ULM its biggest lead at 19, 46-27, and the Warhawks entered halftime up 48-32. Smith's 13 points led ULM scorers, with 11 coming from Ertel and nine from Munnings.
With an Arkansas State 7-0 burst to open the second half, the lead shrunk to 48-39. ULM went scoreless and was 0-for-8 from the floor until a driving dunk by Williams with 16:09 showing.
The Red Wolves continued to climb back, whittling the lead to 55-49 on Ty Cockfield's jumper with 11:57 left in the game as ULM was outscored, 17-7, coming out of the break. Cockfield, who came in percentage points behind Smith for top scorer in the Sun Belt, led his team with 20 points, with 16 coming in the second half.
The deficit was down to three when Smith sank a 3 from the top of the circle with 9:15 to go for a 59-53 edge. Then a Smith steal and layup had ULM up 10 at 63-53.
The Red Wolves could get no closer than six points in the final six minutes as ULM worked through its cold spell and handled business at the free-throw line. The Warhawks were 24-of-28 overall and 15-of-18 from the line in the second half.
THE LAST MEETING IN JONESBORO –
Arkansas State 75, ULM 64 (Dec. 29, 2017): Grantham Gillard and Deven Sims combined for 36 points to lead Arkansas State to a 75-64 win over ULM in the Sun Belt opener for both teams in First National Bank Arena. The Red Wolves rallied from an 11-point first-half deficit by scoring 18 points off turnovers and outscoring ULM, 25-1, from the free-throw line.
The Warhawks jumped out to a 15-8 lead on a jumper by Travis Munnings with 13:50 left in the first half. Munnings hit four of his first five field-goal attempts, including two 3-pointers, and accounted for 10 of ULM's first 15 points. A-State put together an 11-4 run midway through the first half and tied the score at 25-25 on Tamas Bruce's layup with 7:06 remaining. A trey from Jordon Harris sparked a 13-2 spurt and the Warhawks built their largest lead at 41-30 as Sam McDaniel buried a 3-pointer from the right corner with 1:29 to play in the opening half. ULM made its last five field-goal attempts over the final 6:40, but A-State scored five-straight points to cut its halftime deficit to 41-35.
ULM (6-6) shot 55 percent (17-of-31) from the field in the first half, including 70 percent (7-of-10) from behind the 3-point arc, and outrebounded A-State, 19-11. The Red Wolves stayed within striking distance by scoring 10 points off ULM's seven first-half turnovers and outscoring the Warhawks, 12-0, from the charity strip in the opening 20 minutes.
A-State (6-8) opened the second half with a 12-6 run and managed to tie the score at 47-47 as Sims converted 1-of-2 free-throw attempts. The Red Wolves used a 13-0 spurt to take an 11-point lead at 60-49 on two free throws by Bruce. ULM went scoreless for 8:15 as the Warhawks misfired on seven-straight field-goal attempts and committed four turnovers during A-State's decisive run. Munnings sat for 5:04 of that stretch with four fouls. The Warhawks pulled to within seven points at 69-62 on a Munnings' 3-pointer from the right baseline, but A-State iced the game by hitting six-straight free throws over the final 1:03.
Munnings made 9-of-13 shots from the floor, including 3-of-4 3-pointers, and finished with a game-high 22 points. Harris scored 11 points and recorded five assists. McDaniel, who also was sidelined for extended minutes with four fouls, contributed eight points and a game-high 12 rebounds.
ULM outrebounded the Red Wolves, 38-27, with 13 of those boards coming off the offensive glass.
Four A-State players scored in double figures, led by Gillard who hit 4-of-8 3-pointers and netted a game-high 19 points. The Red Wolves also got 17 points from Simms, 15 from Ty Cockfield and 10 from Bruce.
WARHAWKS FINISHES REGULAR SEASON 12-2 IN FANT-EWING COLISEUM –
ULM went 12-2 at home during the regular season, including a 7-2 record in Sun Belt play, while averaging 84.6 points per game and shooting 48 percent (388-of-811) from the field including 42 percent (152-of-361) from behind the 3-point arc. In addition, the Warhawks limited their opponents to 74.0 points per game while shooting at a 46-percent clip (381-of-823) from the floor, including 38 percent (113-of-301) on 3-pointers. ULM also had a turnover margin of +3.9 per game at home.
The Warhawks frequently got off to quick starts at home, outscoring their opponents by 109 points in the first half, 555-446. In its 14 home games, ULM trailed for just 81:55 out of a possible 560 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. Coastal Carolina led for nearly 33 minutes (32:47) while pulling off the upset in ULM's regular-season home finale, 97-91.
ULM TOUGH TO BEAT WHEN SHOOTING 50 PERCENT OR BETTER FROM THE FIELD –
ULM is 16-3 in its last 19 games when shooting 50 percent or better from the field, with its only losses coming in the 2018-19 regular-season home finale against Coastal Carolina (.542), at Appalachian State (.527) and against Arkansas State (.509) in the 2017-18 regular-season finale. The Warhawks are 7-2 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), Georgia Southern (.500) and Appalachian State (.510) and losses at Appalachian State (.527) and against Coastal Carolina (.542).
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 (98): Michael Ertel 23, Daishon Smith 23, JD Williams 22, Travis Munnings 20, Andre Washington 3, Jontray Harris 3, Brandon Newman 2, Tyree White 2. Opponents: 91.
20-point games (30): Daishon Smith 15, Michael Ertel 8, Travis Munnings 5, JD Williams 2. Opponents: 23.
30-point games (5): Daishon Smith 4, Travis Munnings 1. Opponents: 5.
40-point games (1): Daishon Smith 1. Opponents: 1.
Double-figure rebounding games (9): Travis Munnings 5, Andre Washington 3, Jontray Harris 1. Opponents: 14.
Double-doubles (3): Travis Munnings 3. Opponents: 13.
Games leading ULM in scoring: Daishon Smith 16, Travis Munnings 7, Michael Ertel 5, JD Williams 2.
Games leading ULM in rebounding: Travis Munnings 17, Andre Washington 8, JD Williams 3, Daishon Smith 2, Jontray Harris 1, Andre Washington 1, Tyree White 1.
Games leading ULM in assists: Daishon Smith 16, Michael Ertel 7, Travis Munnings 6, Brandon Newman 4, JD Williams 3, Jontray Harris 2.
2018-19 ULM STARTING LINEUPS –
Different Starting Combinations (6):
Ertel, Smith, Williams, Munnings, Washington: 17 (11-6)
Ertel, Smith, Williams, Munnings, T. White: 4 (1-3)
Ertel, Smith, Williams, Munnings, Y. White: 3 (2-1)
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: 12-2
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: 4-3
Games played in March: 0-1
When leading at halftime: 14-3
When trailing at halftime: 1-10
When tied at halftime: 0-0
When shooting .500 or better from the field: 7-2
When shooting less than .500 from the field: 8-11
When opponent shoots .500 or better from the field: 3-7
When opponent shoots less than .500 from the floor: 12-6
When outrebounding opponent: 8-4
When outrebounded by opponent: 6-8
When rebounding totals are equal: 1-1
When hitting more free throws than opponent: 12-6
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: 11-2
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: 6-3
When ULM scores 90-99 points: 4-1
When opponent scores 50-59 points: 3-0
When opponent scores 60-69 points: 6-1
When opponent scores 70-79 points: 4-4
When opponent scores 80-89 points: 1-5
When opponent scores 90-99 points: 1-3
Games decided by five points or less: 3-4
Games decided by 6-10 points: 6-5
Games decided by 11-19 points: 3-2
Games decided by 20 points or more: 3-2
Last five games: 2-3
Last 10 games: 4-6
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)
