Game 16: ULM (6-9, 2-4 Sun Belt) vs. Georgia State (11-6, 4-2 Sun Belt)
Saturday, Jan. 11 | 2 p.m. ET
Atlanta, Ga. | GSU Sports Arena (3,854)
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ULM Basketball Notes: Game 16 vs. Georgia State
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THE STORYLINE –
Following back-to-back losses at Coastal Carolina (93-64) and Georgia Southern (67-56), ULM (6-9, 2-4) concludes its three-game Sun Belt road swing at Georgia State on Saturday, Jan. 11 at 2 p.m. ET/1 p.m. CT.
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The Warhawks, 0-6 on the road this season, are 2-9 in their last 11 Sun Belt road games.
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ULM's starting backcourt of Michael Ertel and JD Williams has combined to average 31.4 points per game. The tandem has combined to account for 49 percent of the team's scoring through the first 15 games. Ertel (fourth at 16.6 points per game) and Williams (10th at 14.8 ppg.) both rank among the Sun Belt Conference's Top 10 in scoring.
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ULM will employ its eighth different starting lineup of the season Saturday afternoon at Georgia State, with sophomore guard Langston Powell making his first career start.
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THE STARTING FIVE –
• ULM's starting backcourt of Michael Ertel and JD Williams has combined to average 31.4 points per game. The tandem has combined to account for 49 percent (471 of 957 points) of the team's scoring through the first 15 games. Ertel (fourth at 16.6 points per game) and Williams (10th at 14.8 ppg.) both rank among the Sun Belt Conference's Top 10 in scoring.
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Ertel also listed among the league's Top 10 in four additional statistical categories: first in minutes played (37.1 pg.), sixth in 3-point field-goal percentage (.383), seventh in 3-pointers made per game (2.4) and eighth in field-goal percentage (.413). His 37.1 minutes per game rank No. 13 among NCAA Division I players. He has scored in double figures in 21 of his last 22 games (dating back to last season).
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Williams also ranks among the Sun Belt's Top 20 in minutes played (third at 36.5 mpg.), field-goal percentage (seventh at .429) and rebounding (11th at 5.7 rpg.).
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• ULM has held 14 of its 15 opponents below 50-percent shooting from the field. Coastal Carolina became the first opponent to shoot better than 50 percent from the field against the Warhawks, finishing 34-of-62 (55 percent) from the floor, including 11-of-30 3-pointers (37 percent). ULM also allowed a season-high 93 points at Coastal.
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By comparison, the Warhawks have shot better than 50 percent from the floor in three games: .538 vs. Alcorn State (28-52), season-high .542 vs. Little Rock (26-48) and .522 vs. Troy (24-46).
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• Five of ULM's nine losses have come by a combined total of 22 points. The Warhawks led in the second half in each of those five losses (at Texas A&M, vs. Grambling State, at SFA, vs. Little Rock and vs. Arkansas State). ULM's five-game losing streak was the program's longest since an eight-game skid during the 2016-17 season.
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• ULM ranks among the Sun Belt Conference leaders in 3-point field-goal percentage defense (second at .308), scoring defense (third at 65.1 points per game), 3-point field-goal percentage (third at .360) and blocked shots (fourth at 3.5 pg.).
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• Through 15 games, ULM has allowed only one opposing player to score 20 or more points. Little Rock's Markquis Nowell (11-of-21 field-goal shooting including 8-of-14 3-pointers) scored a career-high 33 points in the Sun Belt Conference opener, including the game-winning 3-pointer from 40-feet out with :03 left. By comparison, the Warhawks have posted nine 20-point games (5 by Michael Ertel, 3 by JD Williams and 1 by Jalen Hodge).
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GEORGIA STATE SCOUTING REPORT –
Georgia State (11-6, 4-2 Sun Belt) snapped a two-game losing streak with its 90-52 victory over the Ragin' Cajuns Thursday. The Panthers have won 13-straight games in GSU Sports Arena, which is the nation's 14th-longest active home-court winning streak.
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Under first-year head coach Rob Lanier, Georgia State has won three of its last five games overall. Lanier came to GSU following four seasons as associate head coach at Tennessee.
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GSU's starting lineup features four double-figure scorers, in 6-foot-2 guard Corey Allen (14.9 points per game, 43 3-pointers), 6-3 guard Kane Williams (13.5 ppg., 4.8 assists pg.), 5-9 guard Justin Roberts (12.5 ppg.) and 6-5 guard Damon Wilson (11.7 ppg., 4.5 rebounds pg.).
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Allen ranks among the Sun Belt's Top 10 in four different statistical categories: fourth in 3-point field-goal percentage (.387), tied for fourth in 3-point field goals made (2.5 pg.), sixth in field-goal percentage (.430) and seventh in scoring (14.9 ppg.). He has scored in double figures in 14 games, including five 20-point outings. Allen hit 8-of-11 shots from the field, including 4-of-5 3-pointers, and finished with 24 points against the Ragin' Cajuns.
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Williams ranks second in the conference in assists (4.8 pg.), seventh in assist-to-turnover ratio (1.8) and seventh in steals (1.6 pg.). He recorded a career-high nine assists at Appalachian State. Williams also has reached double figures in scoring 16 times.
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Roberts is listed among the league's Top 10 in steals (fourth at 2.1 pg.), assist-to-turnover ratio (sixth at 1.8) and assists (tied for seventh at 3.5 pg.). He has posted double figures in 12 games, including 22 points each at the College of Charleston and against Middle Georgia State.
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The Panthers lead the Sun Belt Conference in six different statistical categories, including 3-point field-goal percentage (.390), field-goal percentage defense (.384), 3-point field-goal percentage defense (.261), assists (15.2 pg.), steals (9.8 pg.) and scoring margin (+9.6 ppg.). In addition, GSU ranks second in the league in scoring (80.0 ppg.) and 3-point field goals made (8.5 pg.).
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ULM/GEORGIA STATE SERIES NOTES –
Saturday's game marks the 17th meeting between ULM and Georgia State. The all-time series is tied, 8-8. The Warhawks have a 3-5 record in games played in Atlanta. Georgia State has won eight of the last 11 meetings.
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In 2018-19, ULM and Georgia State split the regular-season series with each team winning on its homecourt (GSU won 74-73 in Atlanta; ULM won 82-76 in Fant-Ewing Coliseum).
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THE 2018-19 REGULAR-SEASON RECAPS –
Georgia State 74, ULM 73 (Jan. 12, 2019, in Atlanta, Ga.): D'Marcus Simonds scored a game-high 28 points, including the game-winning layup with 0.9 seconds left, to give Georgia State a 74-73 victory over ULM Saturday, Jan. 12 in the GSU Sports Arena.
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ULM (9-7, 2-2 Sun Belt) staged a furious second-half comeback, outscoring GSU, 32-10, to erase a 21-point deficit and claimed a 73-72 lead on Daishon Smith's layup with 5.5 seconds left. Following a 30-second timeout, Simonds took a pass from Kane Williams and drove from the top of the 3-point arc all the way to the basket without a dribble, splitting two defenders, to score a controversial game-winning basket.
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There were two ties and three lead changes in the first half.
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ULM jumped out to a 10-7 lead on Tyree White's 12-foot jumper from the left baseline with 16:08 left in the opening half. The Panthers scored six-straight points and took a 13-10 lead on Simonds' 3-pointer from the top of the circle. GSU put together an 11-3 run midway through the first half to build a 12-point lead at 33-21 on Devin Mitchell's deep 3 from the right wing with 4:55 remaining. The Panthers took a 39-28 lead to the locker room, thanks to Malik Benlevi's tip-in with one second left in the first half.
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The Warhawks shot a dismal 24 percent (7-of-29) from the field in the first half, including just 3-of-20 from 3-point range (15 percent).
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Simonds netted 14 first-half points for GSU, hitting 6-of-11 shots from the floor, including 2-of-5 3-pointers.
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Early in the second half, GSU outscored ULM, 17-5, over a stretch of 4:21 to build its largest lead at 62-41 on Mitchell's trey from the left corner with 12:21 to play. Michael Ertel's 3-pointer from the top of the circle sparked a 12-0 run as the Warhawks pulled to within eight at 64-56 on two free throws by JD Williams with 7:48 left. Trailing 72-60, a conventional three-point play from Travis Munnings fueled a 13-0 spurt and ULM regained the lead at 73-72 on a nifty feed from Ertel to Smith for a layup with 5.5 seconds on the clock.
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ULM made 15-of-28 second-half field-goal attempts (54 percent), including 5-of-11 3-pointers (46 percent). The Warhawks outrebounded GSU, 23-13, in the second half and finished with a +12 rebound margin at 44-32.
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Williams and Ertel combined for 37 points as four Warhawks posted double figures. Williams scored a team-high 19 points, with 12 coming in the second half. Ertel, who made 5-of-6 second-half field-goal attempts including 3-for-3 from behind the 3-point arc, netted 15 second-half points and finished with 18. Munnings recorded his first double-double of the season and 14th of his career with 11 points and 13 rebounds (four offensive boards). Smith contributed 11 points, five rebounds, five assists and three steals.
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Georgia State (13-4, 4-0) also got 16 points from Mitchell, who shot 6-of-13 from the floor including 4-of-10 from 3-point distance.
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ULM 82, Georgia State 76 (Feb. 6, 2019, in Monroe, La.): With a meaningful 82-76 win over first-place Georgia State in the books Wednesday night, the ULM basketball team had one final order of business.
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A happy band of Warhawks headed off the court and high-fived the student section along with fans seated courtside at Fant-Ewing Coliseum. Travis Munnings even climbed over the rail to shake hands in the seats as he got up close and personal with some of the 2,391 in attendance.
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The win snapped a three-game losing streak for ULM (12-10, 5-5) and paid back a controversial road loss to the visiting Panthers last month. It wasn't easy, but the Warhawks closed out the game with a 9-3 run over the final two minutes for a statement win. Â Â
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Daishon Smith scored 36 points with eight rebounds, seven assists, five 3-pointers and was 11-for-11 from the free-throw line. He was great late too, just when ULM needed him most.
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Georgia State (16-7, 7-3) had just taken a 74-73 lead with 2:04 left in the game on a 3 by Jeff Thomas. The game featured seven times and eight lead changes.Â
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Smith, who was animated throughout the night, hit back-to-back 3-pointers and was fouled on the second make. His 4-point play pushed ULM ahead 80-74 with 1:07 remaining.
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After a missed layup and Munnings rebound, ULM played keep away until Georgia State fouled Michael Ertel and he hit a pair of free throws for an 82-74 advantage with 29 seconds left. The Panthers managed just one basket, a layup with 22 seconds remaining, while surrendering the lead.
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Munnings, Ertel and JD Williams had 12 points each for the Warhawks. Munnings also had nine boards as ULM outrebounded Georgia State, 37-27.
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ULM led 40-34 at halftime after shooting 48 percent from the field and 46 percent from the 3-point line. Smith led all scorers with 14 points while Williams added 10 in the half. Ertel and Andre Washington grabbed six first-half rebounds each.
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THE LAST TIME OUT –
Georgia Southern 67, ULM 56 (Jan. 9, 2020, in Statesboro, Ga.): Isaiah Crawley and Elijah McCadden combined for 30 points as Georgia Southern improved to 7-0 at home this season with a 67-56 victory over ULM Thursday night at Hanner Fieldhouse.
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Georgia Southern (10-7, 4-2 Sun Belt) got off to a slow start against ULM's zone defense, as the Eagles missed their first six field-goal attempts and committed four turnovers. The Warhawks got back-to-back baskets from Chris Efretuei in the low post and Michael Ertel hit a 15-foot jumper from the right elbow for a 6-0 lead at the 14:59 mark. The Eagles responded with a 13-2 run and took a 13-8 lead on Calvin Wishart's 3-pointer from the left baseline with 10:50 left in the opening half. McCadden and Ike Smith hit consecutive 3s from the right wing as Georgia Southern extended its lead to 19-11 with 9:14 on the clock. Efretuei's rebound goal sparked an 8-4 run as ULM pulled to within 23-19 on Tyree White's layup. The Eagles outscored the Warhawks, 14-6, over the final 4 1/2 minutes to build a 12-point halftime lead at 37-25.
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McCadden hit 3-of-7 3-point field-goal attempts and scored 11 first-half points. As a team, Georgia Southern made 6-of-18 3-pointers in the first 20 minutes while ULM went 1-for-10 from behind the arc.
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The Eagles, who led by as many as 19 points twice in the second half, missed their last seven shots from the field and went scoreless over the last 5:04. ULM (6-9, 2-4) finished with game with an 8-0 run over the final 3:49, with six points coming from Efretuei, to account for the final 11-point margin.
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Crawley hit 7-of-10 shots from the floor and scored a team-high 17 points. McCadden finished with 13 points, nine rebounds, seven assists and three steals. Georgia Southern also got 11 points and six rebounds from Quan Jackson.
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The Eagles outrebounded ULM, 41-31, including 15-7 on the offensive glass.
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JD Williams, who scored 16 of his game-high 20 points in the second half, paced the Warhawks. Efretuei made 6-of-10 field-goal attempts and finished with a season-high 14 points to go along with five rebounds. Ertel added 12 points for ULM.
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Ertel Earns National, Sun Belt & LSWA Player of the Week Honors –
Junior guard Michael Ertel, who averaged 25.0 points and 4.0 assists per game as ULM completed a home sweep over Troy (79-63) and South Alabama (69-49) to even its Sun Belt Conference record at 2-2, has been named the Lou Henson Award National (Mid-Major) Player of the Week by CollegeInsider.com.
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The 6-foot-2, 190-pound Ertel hit 17-of-29 field-goal attempts (.586), including 12-of-23 3-pointers (.522), and 4-of-5 free-throw attempts (.800) over those two games. He also posted an assist-to-turnover ratio of 8-to-2.
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In addition, Ertel has been selected Sun Belt Conference Co-Player of the Week (shares honor with Little Rock forward Kamani Johnson) and Louisiana Sports Writers Association Player of the Week for his performances against Troy and USA.
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He connected on 14-of-24 shots from the floor, including 11-of-21 from behind the 3-point arc, and finished with a career-high 39 points against South Alabama. His 11 3-pointers set a ULM single-game record, breaking the previous mark of 10 set by Daishon Smith against Little Rock on Jan. 3, 2019. Ertel's 11 3s also tied the Sun Belt record for a league game (Lamar's Keith Veney: 11 made vs. Little Rock, Feb. 11, 1993). His 11 made 3-pointers are the most by an NCAA Division I player this season.
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It took Ertel just 20 minutes to eclipse his previous career high of 26 points by scoring 28 points in the opening half against USA, hitting 10-of-12 shots from the field including 8-of-10 3-pointers. He set the tone early, hitting six 3s in the first 10:48 and scoring 20 of ULM's first 25 points as the Warhawks raced out to a 25-11 lead. Ertel buried his record-breaking 3-pointer from the right wing with 11 minutes left in the game. He also matched his career high with six assists (and no turnovers) against the Jaguars.
The Indianapolis, Indiana, native contributed 11 points against Troy and hit four-straight free throws in the final 3:47 to help ULM maintain a double-digit lead.
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INSIDE THE NUMBERS –
• ULM is 4-1 when scoring 70 or more points.
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• Seven of ULM's 15 games have been decided by eight points or less (2-5 record).
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• ULM has recorded assists on at least 50 percent of its field goals in nine games, including five of the last seven contests. The Warhawks were credited with assists on a season-best 74 percent of their field goals (20-27) vs. South Alabama.
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• The Warhawks have been whistled for fewer fouls than their opponents in eight of 15 games.
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WARHAWKS TOUGH ON HOMECOURT –
ULM is 32-10 (.762) in games played in Fant-Ewing Coliseum since 2017-18, including a 20-6 record (.769) in its last 26 home games. The Warhawks went 14-3 at home in 2018-19, including a 7-2 record in league games. The 14 home victories matched the second-highest single-season total in school history (six times; previous seasons: 1985-86, 1990-91, 1992-93, 2006-07, 2014-15 and 2018-19). The Warhawks won a single-season record 15 games (15-1) in 1978-79.
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ULM RECORDS 1,000TH WIN IN PROGRAM HISTORY –
With its 73-72 overtime win over Alcorn State Saturday, ULM recorded its 1,000th victory in program history since beginning competition as a four-year institution in 1951-52 (69th season). Keith Richard's 118 career victories at ULM rank third on the all-time list, trailing only Mike Vining (402; 1981-05) and Lenny Fant (326; 1957-79). That trio has accounted for 846 of ULM's 1,004 all-time wins as a four-year institution.
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WARHAWKS DOMINATE THE GLASS IN SEASON OPENER –
ULM outrebounded NCAA Division III Louisiana College, 57-24, in the season opener. The +33 rebound margin is tied for the 12th-best mark recorded during the 2019-20 season. UMKC outrebounded Bacone College by +41, 56-15, on Nov. 18.
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ULM LOOKS TO EXTEND POSTSEASON TOURNAMENT STREAK –
ULM made its 13th postseason appearance in program history in 2019. It marked the Warhawks' fourth trip to postseason play in the last five years, including their third appearance in the CollegeInsider.com Tournament. ULM knocked off Kent State, 87-77, the first round of the 2019 CIT before falling to Texas State in triple overtime, 108-102, in the quarterfinals.
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WARHAWK STAT LEADERS –
Double-figure scoring games (41): Michael Ertel 14, JD Williams 12, Jalen Hodge 6, Tyree White 3, Josh Nicholas 2, Chris Efretuei 2, Youry White 1, Langston Powell 1. Opponents: 39.
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20-point games (9): Michael Ertel 5, JD Williams 3, Jalen Hodge 1. Opponents: 1.
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30-point games (1): Michael Ertel 1. Opponents: 1.
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40-point games (0): None. Opponents: None.
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Double-figure rebounding games (2): D'Andre Bernard 1, Chris Efretuei 1. Opponents: 3.
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Double-doubles (0): None. Opponents: 2.
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Games leading ULM in scoring: JD Williams 5, Michael Ertel 4, Jalen Hodge 2, Tyree White 1, Josh Nicholas 1, Langston Powell 1.
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Games leading ULM in rebounding: JD Williams 4, Chris Efretuei 3, D'Andre Bernard 3, Youry White 2, Tyree White 2, Michael Ertel 1, Jalen Hodge 1.
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Games leading ULM in assists: Michael Ertel 7, JD Williams 6, Tyree White 4, Jalen Hodge 2, 1 Erie Olonade 1, D'Andre Bernard 1, Elijah Ifejeh 1, Youry White 1.
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2019-20 ULM STARTING LINEUPS –
Nov. 5 vs. Louisiana College: Ertel, Williams, T. White, Y. White, Efretuei
Nov. 9 vs. Alcorn State: Ertel, Williams, T. White, Y. White, Efretuei
Nov. 11 at Texas A&M: Ertel, Williams, T. White, Y. White, Efretuei
Nov. 14 at Mississippi State: Ertel, Williams, T. White, Y. White, Efretuei
Nov. 26 vs. Northwestern State: Ertel, Williams, T. White, Y. White, Efretuei
Dec. 4 vs. Millsaps College: Ertel, Williams, T. White, Y. White, Efretuei
Dec. 10 vs. Grambling State: Ertel, Williams, T. White, Bernard, Efretuei
Dec. 14 at SFA: Ertel, Williams, Hodge, Nicholas, Efretuei
Dec. 19 vs. Little Rock: Ertel, Williams, Hodge, T. White, Bernard
Dec. 21 vs. Arkansas State: Ertel, Williams, Hodge, T. White, Bernard
Dec. 28 at No. 12 Butler: Ertel, Williams, Hodge, T. White, Efretuei
Jan. 2 vs. Troy: Ertel, Williams, Hodge, Ifejeh, Efretuei
Jan. 4 vs. South Alabama: Ertel, Williams, Nicholas, Ifejeh, Efretuei
Jan. 6 at Coastal Carolina: Ertel, Williams, Nicholas, Ifejeh, Efretuei
Jan. 9 at Georgia Southern: Ertel, Williams, Hodge, T. White, Efretuei
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Different Starting Combinations (7):
Ertel, Williams, T. White, Y. White, Efretuei: 6 (4-2)
Ertel, Williams, T. White, Bernard, Efretuei: 1 (0-1)
Ertel, Williams, Hodge, Nicholas, Efretuei: 1 (0-1)
Ertel, Williams, Hodge, T. White, Bernard: 2 (0-2)
Ertel, Williams, Hodge, T. White, Efretuei: 2 (0-2)
Ertel, Williams, Hodge, Ifejeh, Efretuei: 1 (1-0)
Ertel, Williams, Nicholas, Ifejeh, Efretuei: 2 (1-1)
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2019-20 WARHAWK STATISTICAL TRENDS –
Games played in Fant-Ewing Coliseum: 6-3
Games played on the road: 0-6
Games played at a neutral site: 0-0Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â
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Games played in November: 3-2
Games played in December: 1-5
Games played in January: 2-2
Games played in February: 0-0
Games played in March: 0-0Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â
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When leading at halftime: 5-3
When trailing at halftime: 1-5
When tied at halftime: 0-1
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When shooting .500 or better from the field: 2-1
When shooting less than .500 from the field: 4-8
When opponent shoots .500 or better from the field: 0-1
When opponent shoots less than .500 from the floor: 6-8
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When outrebounding opponent: 3-2
When outrebounded by opponent: 2-7
When rebounding totals are equal: 1-0
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When hitting more free throws than opponent: 5-3
When hitting fewer free throws than opponent: 1-6
When hitting the same number of free throws as opponent: 0-0
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When committing fewer turnovers than opponent: 1-1Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â
When opponent commits fewer turnovers: 4-8
When turnover totals are equal: 1-0
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When ULM scores less than 50 points: 0-2Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â
When ULM scores 50-59 points: 0-4
When ULM scores 60-69 points: 2-2
When ULM scores 70-79 points: 3-1
When ULM scores 80-89 points: 1-0
When ULM scores 90-99 points: 0-0
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When opponent scores less than 50 points: 2-0Â Â
When opponent scores 50-59 points: 0-0
When opponent scores 60-69 points: 3-7
When opponent scores 70-79 points: 1-1
When opponent scores 80-89 points: 0-0
When opponent scores 90-99 points: 0-1
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Games decided by five points or less: 1-3
Games decided by 6-10 points: 1-2
Games decided by 11-19 points: 1-2
Games decided by 20 points or more: 3-2
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Last five games: 2-3Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â
Last 10 games: 3-7
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Largest deficit overcome to win: 4
(7-3 vs. Alcorn State, Nov. 9; 31-27 vs. Millsaps College, Dec. 4; 35-31 vs. Troy, Jan. 2)
Largest lead surrendered in a loss: 10
(34-24 at Texas A&M, Nov. 11; 62-52 vs. Little Rock, Dec. 19)
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ULM Basketball Inks Four in Early Signing Period
The ULM men's basketball team signed four high school athletes to National Letters of Intent during the early signing period in November, featuring three athletes from the state of Louisiana.
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"This is the first time in many years we have been able to sign four quality high school players in the early signing period," ULM head coach Keith Richard said. "We think each one of these young men are great prospects for ULM both on and off the floor. All four play different positions and all four of them can score. We are excited about all of their futures in a Warhawk uniform."
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D'Marcus Hall | 6-6 | Forward | Shreveport, Louisiana | Calvary Baptist HS
Hall averaged 21 points, 10 rebounds, 2.8 assists and 1.7 blocks per game as a junior at Calvary Baptist. He was named 2019 District 1-2A Player of the Year following the 2018-19 season, and was a 2019 Louisiana Sportswriters' Association All-State honorable mention selection. He is a second team All-City selection in Shreveport. Hall is rated as the 12th-best player in Louisiana by Prep Hoops Louisiana.
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Thomas Howell | 6-8 | Forward | Natchitoches, Louisiana | St. Mary's HS
Howell was a first team All-State selection following his junior year at St. Mary's, where he averaged 22 points, 17 rebounds and five blocks per game. Howell was named the 2019 All-CENLA Player of the Year. As a sophomore in 2017-18, Howell was named All-State after he posted 20 points, 15 rebounds and 3.5 blocks per game at St. Mary's. Howell owns the St. Mary's career blocks record with 301 and counting, and is on pace to break the career scoring and rebounding records. Howell is rated as the fifth-best player in Louisiana by Prep Hoops Louisiana.
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Zaakir Sawyer | 6-4 | Guard | Mesquite, Texas | Horn HS
Sawyer posted 18.5 points, 7 rebounds and 1.8 steals per game as a junior at Horn High School. He is a three-time first team All-Conference selection. Sawyer is the 29th-ranked player in Texas by Texas Basketball Review and 31st by Rivals.com.
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Elijah Tate | 6-3 | Guard | Baton Rouge, Louisiana | Madison Prep HS
Tate is a three-time state champion at Madison Prep, leading his team to a 33-7 record as a junior. Tate averaged 12.5 points, 4 rebounds and 4.5 assists per game as a junior in 2018-19, including a 17-point effort to pace Madison Prep in the 2019 LHSAA State Championship game vs. Wossman. He was named first team All-District 6-3A as a junior. Tate is the 13th-ranked player in Louisiana by Prep Hoops Louisiana.
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