Game 30: ULM (15-14, 8-9 Sun Belt) vs. LITTLE ROCK (10-20, 5-12 Sun Belt)
Saturday, March 9 | 3 p.m.
Little Rock, Ark. | Jack Stephens Center (5,600)
ULM Basketball Notes: Game 30 vs. Little Rock
STORYLINE –
Seventh-place ULM (15-14, 8-9) concludes its Sun Belt regular-season schedule at Little Rock (10-20, 5-12) on Saturday, March 9 at 3 p.m. With a 73-72 loss at Arkansas State Thursday, the Warhawks slipped to 1-7 in conference road games, but that record includes four one-point losses and another setback in double overtime.
ULM's starting lineup features four double-figure scorers, in 6-foot-1 guard Daishon Smith (22.4 points per game; 95 3-pointers), 6-2 guard Michael Ertel (15.3 ppg., 65 3-pointers), 6-6 forward Travis Munnings (14.0 ppg., 7.6 rpg.) and 6-4 guard JD Williams (12.4 ppg.).
THE STARTING FIVE –
• ULM ranks among the NCAA Division I leaders in 3-point field-goal percentage (eighth at .394), free-throw percentage (eighth at .774) and 3-point field goals made (21st at 9.8 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 78.2 points per game), scoring margin (fifth at +3.1 ppg.), assists (fifth at 13.6 pg.) and turnover margin (sixth at +1.0).
ULM's 78.2 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 38 percent of ULM's scoring (284 3-pointers made; 852 of 2,269 points) in 2018-19. The Warhawks have made double-digit 3-pointers in 14 games, including 10 of their first 17 Sun Belt games. ULM is averaging 10.4 3-pointers per game in Sun Belt play.
The Warhawks are on pace to break the school single-season record for 3-pointers made (288 in 2017-18).
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 24 of their first 29 games.
• 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 (fifth at 3.65 per game), scoring (17th at 22.4 points per game), steals (18th at 2.27 pg.), 3-point field-goal percentage (42nd at .415) and free-throw percentage (44th at .859).
He leads the Sun Belt in four different statistical categories: scoring, 3-point field goals made per game, free-throw percentage and steals. Smith also ranks among the league leaders in 3-point field-goal percentage (second), assist-to-turnover ratio (fourth at 1.8), assists (fifth at 3.9 pg.), field-goal percentage (seventh at .463) and minutes played (seventh at 34.5 pg.).
The Jacksonville, Florida, native has scored in double figures in 24 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 is averaging 24.5 points, 4.9 rebounds and 4.4 assists in Sun Belt play.
ULM has compiled a 15-11 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).
• 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: 1,597 points and 902 rebounds).
With his double-double (16 points and 10 rebounds) at Arkansas State Thursday night, 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 15 games have been decided by seven points or less (5-8 record). ... ULM has led at the half in 17 of its 29 games and outscored its opponents, 1,057-986, 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 29 games, including 10 of its last 18 contests. … ULM has outrebounded 10 of its last 16 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 (17th at 451). The Warhawks have been whistled for fewer fouls than their opponents in 20 of 29 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 (479) as their opponents have attempted (492) this season. Through 29 games, ULM has outscored its opponents, 479-352, 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 18 opponents have shot 50 percent or better from the floor, including six of the last 11 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 –
Arkansas State 73, ULM 72 (March 7, 2019, in Jonesboro, Ark.): Ty Cockfield and Grantham Gillard combined to score 51 points and Marquis Eaton converted two free throws with :08 left to give Arkansas State a 73-72 victory over ULM Thursday night at First National Bank Arena.
Gillard hit three-straight 3-pointers as A-State raced out to a 12-4 lead. Daishon Smith's four-point play sparked a 16-7 run and ULM took its first lead at 20-19 as Michael Ertel connected on a fall-away jumper from the right baseline with 10:06 left in the opening half. The Red Wolves answered with a 12-2 spurt and built their largest lead at 31-22 on Gillard's jumper from the lane with 5:42 to play. The Warhawks went on a 16-8 run and pulled to within 39-38 at the intermission as JD Williams hit a 12-foot runner from the right side of the lane at the first-half buzzer.
Cockfield (15) and Gillard (13) accounted for 28 of A-State's 39 first-half points.
There were eight lead changes and three ties in the second half.
Ertel hit a pull-up jumper from the right baseline and Smith added a runner from the lane as ULM took a 42-41 lead with 19:00 remaining. The Red Wolves put together a 13-5 spurt and built a 54-47 advantage with 12:51 to play as Cockfield connected on a fall-away jumper with one second left on the shot clock. Williams finished the fast-break with an emphatic dunk, off a nifty feed from Smith, to ignite a 7-0 run as ULM tied the score at 54 on Ertel's layup through contact with 9:32 left in the game. Gillard's seventh 3-pointer gave A-State a six-point lead at 67-61 with 5:36 on the clock. The Warhawks scored nine-straight points to build their largest lead at 70-67 as Smith made two free throws with 2:03 remaining. A-State regained the lead at 71-70 as Cockfield hit a fall-away jumper from the right wing and a left-handed layup over Travis Munnings with 1:16 to play. Tyree White collected a loose ball and dunked it to give ULM a 72-71 advantage :34 left. The Warhawks had three fouls to give in the closing seconds, but Brandon Newman put ULM over the limit when he held Eaton on an in-bounds play with :08 on the clock. Eaton hit both ends of the one-and-one to put the Red Wolves back on top 73-72, and Smith misfired on a potential game-winning 3-pointer at the buzzer.
A-State improved to 14-0 against ULM in games played in First National Bank Arena. It also marked the Red Wolves' 17th-straight home-court win over the Warhawks.
ULM (15-14, 8-9 Sun Belt) slipped to 1-7 in conference road games, but that record includes four one-point losses and another setback in double overtime.
Cockfield hit 12-of-24 field-goal attempts and finished with a game-high 26 points. A-State (13-17, 7-10 Sun Belt) also got a career-high 25 points from Gillard, who connected on 7-of-9 3-pointers.
Smith scored 23 points to pace the Warhawks and matched his career high with eight rebounds. Munnings, who produced his fourth double-double of the season and 17th of his career with 16 points and 10 rebounds, became just the 11th player in Sun Belt history to eclipse the 900-rebound career milestone (902). Ertel added 14 points.
ULM shot 57 percent (12-of-21) from the field in the second half but made only 1-of-7 3-point field-goal attempts. The Warhawks outrebounded the Red Wolves, 35-30.
With the loss, ULM fell from a three-way tie for fifth into seventh place in the conference standings at 8-9. The 2019 Sun Belt Basketball Championship features a 10-team bracket; however, only eight teams will advance to New Orleans' Lakefront Arena. Two first-round games will be played at campus sites on Tuesday, March 12, with the No. 7 seed hosting the No. 10 season and the No. 8 seed hosting the No. 9 seed.
LITTLE ROCK SCOUTING REPORT –
Little Rock (10-20, 5-12 Sun Belt) has lost its last five league games, with three of those contests decided by seven points or less. The Trojans are 7-8 in games played in Jack Stephens Center, including a 3-5 record in Sun Belt games.
Little Rock's starting lineup features two double-figure scorers, in 6-foot-5 guard Rayjon Tucker (20.4 ppg., 6.8 rpg.) and 6-10 forward Nikola Maric (10.9 ppg., 4.6 rpg.).
Tucker ranks among the Sun Belt's Top 10 in five different statistical categories, including minutes played (first at 36.8 pg.), scoring (third at 20.4 ppg.), field-goal percentage (fifth at .492), 3-point field goals made (sixth at 2.4 pg.) and free-throw percentage (seventh at .778). He has posted 15 20-point games this season, including two 30-point efforts (33 vs. Sam Houston State and a career-high 36 at ULL).Tucker also has recorded five double-doubles (points and rebounds).
Maric has scored in double figures in 19 games, including three 20-point outings. He produced his second double-double of the season Thursday against the Ragin' Cajuns with 24 points and 10 rebounds.
Little Rock ranks among the Sun Belt leaders in field-goal percentage (second at .485), assists (third at 14.4 pg.), 3-point field-goal percentage (sixth at .353), field-goal percentage defense (sixth at .441) and rebound margin (sixth at +0.1 pg.).
ULM/LITTLE ROCK SERIES NOTES –
Saturday's game marks the 35th meeting between ULM and Little Rock. The Trojans lead the all-time series, 18-16, including an 11-5 record in game played in Little Rock, Arkansas. Overall, ULM has won eight of the last 12 meetings. The Trojans have won three-straight games in the Jack Stephens Center, with ULM's last win in Little Rock coming on Feb. 5, 2015, 77-61.
THE LAST MEETING –
ULM 97, Little Rock 84 (Jan. 3, 2019, in Monroe, La.): Sun Belt Conference foes, meet Daishon Smith.
ULM's senior guard scored a career-high 42 points at Fant-Ewing Coliseum as the Warhawks topped Little Rock, 97-84, in the league opener for both teams.
Smith, a senior transfer from Wichita State playing his first and only season for ULM, made 10-of-12 3-pointers and was 14-of-19 from the floor.
His 42 points were the tied for the eighth-highest total for a ULM player in school history. It was the 11th time a ULM player topped 40 points, with Glynn Saulters holding the school record at 51.
Michael Ertel scored 16 points with six assists to bolster the effort. JD Williams added 13 points. ULM (8-5, 1-0) made a school single-game record 17 3-pointers on the night and shot 56 percent overall.
After a slow start that featured five missed shots by the home team and a 6-0 deficit to open the game, ULM rallied with a 14-0 run to seize control. Smith was a major contributor with 12 points in his first 12 minutes on the floor.
The Warhawks, who led by as many as 16 points in the first half, carried a 40-31 advantage into halftime. The Trojans (5-9, 0-1) hung around by shooting 58 percent from the field with six 3-pointers.
Smith's big night continued in earnest in the second half as he scored 14 of ULM's first 22 points after the break as the lead swelled to 19. Smith, whose previous high was 26 against Northwestern State, scored 30 points in the second half alone.
Little Rock shot 62 percent in the game as Ryan Pippins (19) and Markquis Nowell (19) kept dropping baskets and lurked as close as eight points at 80-72 with 4:44 left in the game.
Back to back 3-pointers by Smith and Williams provided breathing room and the Warhawks prevailed. ULM shot 74 percent in the second half (20-of-27).
THE LAST MEETING IN LITTLE ROCK –
Little Rock 71, ULM 62 (Dec. 31, 2017): Ryan Pippins and Camron Reedus combined to score 28 points off the Little Rock bench as the Trojans led from start to finish in a 71-62 Sun Belt win over ULM in the Jack Stephens Center.
Little Rock (4-11, 1-1 Sun Belt) jumped out to a 9-2 lead as the Trojans hit their first four shots from the field, including three 3-pointers. The Warhawks pulled to within 9-7 on a 3-pointer from Sam McDaniel with 17:02 left in the first half. Little Rock responded with a 9-0 run and took an 18-7 lead on two free throws from Reedus with 12:11 remaining in the first half. The Warhawks misfired on seven-straight field-goal attempts and went scoreless for 5:17 as the Trojans moved out to an 11-point advantage. A three from Anthony Black gave Little Rock a 15-point lead at 30-15. ULM cut its halftime deficit to 12 at 36-24 as Sam Alabakis completed a three-point play with 1:29 left in the opening half.
The Warhawks shot 23 percent (6-of-26) from the floor in the first half, including 2-of-10 from 3-point range, and went 9:28 without a field goal during one stretch. The Trojans, who entered the game shooting 28 percent from behind the arc, made 6-of-15 3-point field-goal attempts in the opening 20 minutes.
Travis Munnings buried back-to-back 3-pointers from the top of the circle to open the second half as ULM (6-7, 0-2) cut its deficit to 36-30 with 19:03 left. The Warhawks outscored the Trojans, 13-3, over the first 3:37 and pulled to within two at 39-37 on McDaniel's 3-pointer from the left wing with 16:23 remaining. Little Rock put together a 9-0 run to extend its lead back to 12 at 53-41 on a Pippins' jumper with 10:13 left. The Trojans matched their largest lead at 63-48 with 3:08 to play.
Three Trojans came off the bench to score in double figures, led by Pippins who netted 10 of his team-high 15 points in the second half. Little Rock also got 13 points from Reedus and 10 from Marcus Ben as the Trojan bench outscored ULM's reserves, 45-3. For the game, Little Rock shot 48 percent (23-of-48) from the field, including 50 percent (10-of-20) in the second half, and outrebounded the Warhawks, 35-28.
McDaniel scored a game-high 19 points to pace ULM while Munnings went 4-for-4 from 3-point distance and finished with 18 points. Jordon Harris added 10 points and four assists.
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 (101): Michael Ertel 24, Daishon Smith 24, JD Williams 22, Travis Munnings 21, Andre Washington 3, Jontray Harris 3, Brandon Newman 2, Tyree White 2. Opponents: 94.
20-point games (31): Daishon Smith 16, Michael Ertel 8, Travis Munnings 5, JD Williams 2. Opponents: 25.
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 (10): Travis Munnings 6, Andre Washington 3, Jontray Harris 1. Opponents: 14.
Double-doubles (4): Travis Munnings 4. Opponents: 13.
Games leading ULM in scoring: Daishon Smith 17, Travis Munnings 7, Michael Ertel 5, JD Williams 2.
Games leading ULM in rebounding: Travis Munnings 18, 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 4, Jontray Harris 2.
2018-19 ULM STARTING LINEUPS –
Different Starting Combinations (6):
Ertel, Smith, Williams, Munnings, Washington: 17 (11-6)
Ertel, Smith, Williams, Munnings, Y. White: 4 (2-2)
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: 12-2
Games played on the road: 3-12
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: 0-2
When leading at halftime: 14-3
When trailing at halftime: 1-11
When tied at halftime: 0-0
When shooting .500 or better from the field: 7-2
When shooting less than .500 from the field: 8-12
When opponent shoots .500 or better from the field: 3-7
When opponent shoots less than .500 from the floor: 12-7
When outrebounding opponent: 8-5
When outrebounded by opponent: 6-8
When rebounding totals are equal: 1-1
When hitting more free throws than opponent: 12-7
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: 11-2
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: 4-6
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: 4-5
When opponent scores 80-89 points: 1-5
When opponent scores 90-99 points: 1-3
Games decided by five points or less: 3-5
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)
