Game 19: ULM (6-12, 2-7 Sun Belt) vs. Ragin' Cajuns (7-13, 2-7 Sun Belt)
Saturday, Jan. 25 | 7 p.m.
Lafayette, La. | Cajundome (12,362)
ULM Basketball Notes: Game 19 vs. Ragin' Cajuns
STORYLINE –
After a week layoff, ULM (6-12, 2-7 Sun Belt) resumes Sun Belt Conference action at the Ragin' Cajuns (7-13, 2-7) on Saturday, Jan. 25 at 7 p.m. The Warhawks, who are seeking their first road win of the season (0-7), also are attempting to end a five-game losing streak in league play.
In 2018-19, ULM and ULL split the regular-season series with each team winning on its homecourt (ULM won 99-95 in Fant-Ewing Coliseum; ULL won 83-76 in the Cajundome).
ULM forward Tyree White is averaging 18.3 points and 6.3 rebounds over his last three games. White, who's hitting 63 percent (19-of-30) of his field-goal attempts during the stretch, has led the Warhawks in scoring in three-straight games: 21 points at Georgia State, 16 against Texas State and 18 against UT Arlington.
THE STARTING FIVE –
• ULM's starting backcourt of Michael Ertel and JD Williams has combined to average 30.3 points per game. The tandem has combined to account for 48 percent (545 of 1,140 points) of the team's scoring through the first 18 games. Ertel (sixth at 15.6 points per game) and Williams (11th at 14.7 ppg.) both rank among the Sun Belt Conference's Top 15 in scoring.
Ertel also listed among the league's Top 10 in three additional statistical categories: first in minutes played (37.3 pg.), eighth in 3-point field-goal percentage (.364) and ninth in 3-pointers made per game (2.2). His 37.3 minutes per game rank No. 13 among NCAA Division I players. He has scored in double figures in 23 of his last 25 games (dating back to last season).
Williams also ranks among the Sun Belt's Top 20 in minutes played (second at 36.7 mpg.), field-goal percentage (10th at .421), free-throw percentage (10th at .737) and rebounding (16th at 5.4 rpg.).
• ULM has held 16 of its 18 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.
Georgia State shot a season-best 58 percent (30-of-52) from the field against ULM, including 62 percent (18-of-29) in the second half.
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).
• Six of ULM's 12 losses have come by a combined total of 23 points. The Warhawks led in the second half in each of those six losses (at Texas A&M, vs. Grambling State, at SFA, vs. Little Rock, vs. Arkansas State and vs. Texas State). ULM's five-game losing streaks are the program's longest since an eight-game skid during the 2016-17 season.
• ULM ranks among the Sun Belt Conference leaders in scoring defense (third at 66.8 points per game), 3-point field-goal percentage (third at .352), 3-point field-goal percentage defense (third at .315) and blocked shots (fourth at 3.4 pg.).
In league games, the Warhawks rank second in 3-point field-goal percentage (.368) and third in field-goal percentage (.447).
• Through 18 games, ULM has allowed only three opposing players to score 20 or more points. Texas State's Nijal Pearson scored 14 of his game-high 23 points in the second half as the Bobcats rallied for a 10-point deficit for a 64-63 road win at ULM Thursday night.
Georgia State's Justin Roberts hit 7-of-9 3-pointers and finished with a career-high 23 points to lead the Panthers to an 84-62 victory over ULM while extending their home-court winning streak to 14 games.
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 10 20-point games (5 by Michael Ertel, 3 by JD Williams, 1 by Jalen Hodge and 1 by Tyree White).
RAGIN' CAJUNS SCOUTING REPORT –
The Ragin' Cajuns (7-13, 2-7 Sun Belt) has lost four-straight Sun Belt Conference games, including back-to-back home-court setbacks against UT Arlington (81-65) and Texas State (68-59).
Louisiana Lafayette has lost three scholarship players to season-ending knee injuries in 2019-20, including Kobe Julien, Durey Caldwell and Javonne Lowery. Through the first 20 games, the Ragin' Cajuns have utilized nine different starting lineups.
The Ragin' Cajuns' playing rotation features three double-figure scorers, in 6-foot-7 forward Jalen Johnson (14.8 points per game, 6.7 rebounds per game), 6-2 guard Cedric Russell (12.7 ppg., 3.4 rpg.) and 6-3 guard Mylik Wilson (11.8 ppg., 5.3 rpg.).
Johnson ranks among the Sun Belt's Top 10 in six different statistical categories: fifth in free-throw percentage (.819), fifth in minutes played (33.8 pg.), sixth in offensive rebounds (2.3 pg.), eighth in field-goal percentage (.435), eighth in rebounding (6.7 rpg.) and 10th in scoring (14.8 ppg.). The transfer from St. Louis U. has scored in double figures in 16 games, including six 20-point efforts. Johnson has produced three double-doubles.
Russell is listed among the league leaders in scoring (18th at 12.7 ppg.), 3-point field goals made (2.3 pg.), minutes played (eighth at 33.0 mpg.) and 3-point field-goal percentage (ninth at .347). The junior from Alexandria, Louisiana, has reached double figures in 14 games, including a season-high 22 points vs. McNeese State.
Wilson, who has started 12 of 16 games, has been sidelined for the last four games with a sprained knee. The Rayville High School graduate has posted double figures in nine games, including his last four games in a row. Wilson hit 10-of-19 field-goal attempts, including 4-of-8 3-pointers, netted a season-high 30 points in the Ragin' Cajuns' 81-73 win at Appalachian State.
The Ragin' Cajuns rank among the conference leaders in free-throw percentage (fourth at .722), offensive rebounds (fourth at 11.0 pg.) and 3-point field goals made (sixth at 7.4 pg.).
ULM/RAGIN' CAJUN SERIES NOTES –
Saturday's game marks the 80th meeting between ULM and ULL. The Ragin' Cajuns lead the all-time series, 52-27, including a 32-6 record in games played in Lafayette. ULL has won the seven of the last 12 meetings in the series. Seven of the last 12 meetings have been decided by nine points or less. ULM's last win in the Cajundome came on Jan. 19, 2015, 57-55.
In 2018-19, ULM and ULL split the regular-season series with each team winning on its homecourt (ULM won 99-95 in Fant-Ewing Coliseum; ULL won 83-76 in the Cajundome).
THE 2018-19 REGULAR-SEASON RECAPS –
ULM 99, Ragin' Cajuns 95 (Jan. 19, 2019, in Monroe, La.): ULM made its point with lots of points and the Warhawks needed them all. Five Warhawks reached double figures in scoring and ULM outlasted Louisiana Lafayette, 99-95, at Fant-Ewing Coliseum.
Daishon Smith scored 27 points and contributed seven rebounds and eight assists. Michael Ertel poured in 23 points, JD Williams scored 15 points and matched his career best with nine rebounds, Andre Washington scored a career-high 12 points and added seven rebounds and Travis Munnings contributed 11 points and eight boards.
ULM (10-7, 3-2 in the Sun Belt) improved to 8-0 at home.
JaKeenan Gant led ULL (11-7, 2-3) with 31 points, 10 rebounds and four blocked shots.
Two buzzer-beater losses on the road the previous week had ULM in no mood to keep it close early on. The Warhawks were on fire from the start, shooting their way to a 35-15 lead by the 9:34 mark. Ertel scored 10 points with two 3-pointers during the early blitz.
With 1:17 left in the first half, Munnings reached a solid milestone with his 800th career rebound. Munnings became just the fourth player in school history with 1,000 career points and 800 boards, joining Calvin Natt, Henry Steele and Bill Snellings in the exclusive club.
ULM led by as many as 22 points in the opening half while shooting 57 percent overall and 50 percent (7 of 14) from 3-point territory. Smith led ULM scorers with 14. Williams hit a long buzzer-beater as time expired in the first half to send ULM to the dressing room up 53-39.
The Warhawks cooled off to shoot 40.6 percent in the second half and 49.3 percent overall, and the Ragin' Cajuns made their run. A 3-pointer by P.J. Hardy at the 12:31 mark cut the lead to six at 64-58.
ULM kept ULL from getting any closer until Hardy's 3-pointer with 2:35 remaining cut the lead to 90-87. But Ertel answered immediately on the other end with a clutch 3-ball to boost ULM back ahead 93-87.
The Cajuns cut it to 95-92 on Justin Miller's layup with 15.2 second left in the game. Fouled with 8.2 seconds, Smith calmly hit a pair of free throws.
ULL's Cedric Russell stroked a 3-pointer with three seconds remaining to get it to two at 97-95, but Smith was fouled again and added two more free throws for the final margin, 99-95.
Smith made 13-of-13 free throws in the game, and ULM was 21-of-25 from the line overall.
Ragin' Cajuns 83, ULM 76 (Feb. 16, 2019, in Lafayette, La.): Marcus Stroman scored 22 points as Louisiana Lafayette topped ULM, 83-76. JaKeenan Gant added 20 points, eight rebounds and four blocks for the Ragin' Cajuns.
ULL (15-10, 6-6 Sun Belt) put together a 13-4 run late in the first half to build a 35-24 lead on Stroman's jumper in the lane with 2:26 left. The Warhawks (13-11, 6-6) cut its halftime deficit to 37-29.
Gant scored 12 first-half points for the Ragin' Cajuns, who shot 48 percent (13-of-27) from the field in the first 20 minutes including 4-of-12 from behind the 3-point arc. ULM hit just 37 percent (11-of-30) of its field-goal attempts in the opening half, including 3-of-11 3-pointers.
The Ragin' Cajuns led by as many as 13 points in the second half. Michael Ertel's 3-pointer sparked an 11-4 run and ULM pulled to within six at 72-66 on JD Williams' 3 with 3:57 left. The Warhawks closed to within five points in the final 30 seconds, but ULL converted six-straight free-throw attempts down the stretch to ice the game, including four in a row from Cedric Russell.
ULM shot 59 percent (17-of-29) from the floor in the second half, including 5-of-13 3-pointers.
Stroman netted 16 of his team-high 22 points in the second half. ULL also got 10 points from P.J. Hardy and 12 rebounds from Justin Miller.
Daishon Smith scored a game-high 25 points to pace the Warhawks. Travis Munnings added 16 points and nine rebounds while Williams scored all 12 of his points during ULM's second-half surge and finished with eight rebounds.
THE LAST TIME OUT –
UT Arlington 78, ULM 58 (Jan. 18, 2020, in Monroe, La.): ULM endured a day of frustration at Fant-Ewing Coliseum as the Warhawks dropped their fifth-straight game last Saturday with a 78-58 loss to UT Arlington.
ULM (6-12, 2-7 Sun Belt) couldn't overcome lopsided numbers at the free-throw line or in the rebounding column. UTA (8-12, 4-5) made 27-of-32 from the free-throw line and outrebounded ULM, 48-22. The Warhawks converted just 13-of-21 free-throw attempts.
ULM head coach Keith Richard was ejected from the game with 1:14 left in the first half after a traveling call against JD Williams. Richard left the bench and dashed onto the court to express his displeasure to earn his technical foul.
Tyree White led ULM with 18 points while Williams added 14 points and five rebounds. The Warhawks shot 21-of-55 from the floor (38.2 percent) and hit just three of their 16 3-point attempts.
UTA led 40-28 at halftime despite shooting just 31 percent from the field. The Mavericks overcame their cold shooting by going 18-of-21 from the free throw line and outrebounding ULM, 29-14.
ULM suffered through a cold start offensively on 4-of-19 shooting and trailed 15-10 with 10:18 to go in the first half. An 8-0 run allowed UTA to surge up 19-10 as ULM went more than 5:24 minutes without scoring and nearly seven minutes without a FG until Jalen Hodge's basket at the 5:27 mark.
The Warhawks trailed by as many as 17 but scored the final five points to close out the half as UTA failed to make a field goal over the final 2:04.
Brian Warren provided punch off the bench for UTA with 19 points. His production gave the Mavs a 43-10 edge off the bench. Radshad Davis scored 19 points to go along with 14 rebounds as UTA won the battle of the boards, including an 18-6 advantage on the offensive end.
The second half provided no relief for the home team as UTA's shooters heated up (54.2 percent).
The Mavericks led by as many 20 and ULM never got the lead under double digits.
INSIDE THE NUMBERS –
• In two career games against Louisiana Lafayette, JD Williams is averaging 13.5 points and 8.5 rebounds. Williams has made 10-of-16 field-goal attempts (.625), including 4-of-6 3-pointers (.667) against the Ragin' Cajuns.
Michael Ertel is averaging 11.8 points in four career games against ULL. Ertel has hit 18-of-39 shots (.462) from the floor, including 8-of-13 (.615) from behind the 3-point arc, against the Ragin' Cajuns.
• ULM is 4-1 when scoring 70 or more points.
• Eight of ULM's 18 games have been decided by eight points or less (2-6 record).
• ULM has recorded assists on at least 50 percent of its field goals in 11 games, including seven of the last 10 contests. The Warhawks were credited with assists on a season-best 74 percent of their field goals (20-27) vs. South Alabama.
• The Warhawks have been whistled for fewer fouls than their opponents in nine of 18 games.
• ULM ranks fourth in the Sun Belt Conference in overall average home attendance (1,906 per game) and third in attendance for league home games (2,012 per game).
WARHAWKS TOUGH ON HOMECOURT –
ULM is 32-12 (.727) in games played in Fant-Ewing Coliseum since 2017-18. 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.
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.
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.
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.
WARHAWK STAT LEADERS –
Double-figure scoring games (49): Michael Ertel 16, JD Williams 15, Jalen Hodge 6, Tyree White 6, Josh Nicholas 2, Chris Efretuei 2, Youry White 1, Langston Powell 1. Opponents: 49.
20-point games (10): Michael Ertel 5, JD Williams 3, Jalen Hodge 1, Tyree White 1. Opponents: 3.
30-point games (1): Michael Ertel 1. Opponents: 1.
40-point games (0): None. Opponents: None.
Double-figure rebounding games (2): D'Andre Bernard 1, Chris Efretuei 1. Opponents: 4.
Double-doubles (0): None. Opponents: 3.
Games leading ULM in scoring: JD Williams 5, Michael Ertel 4, Tyree White 4, Jalen Hodge 2, Josh Nicholas 1, Langston Powell 1.
Games leading ULM in rebounding: JD Williams 5, Tyree White 4, Chris Efretuei 3, D'Andre Bernard 3, Youry White 2, Michael Ertel 1, Jalen Hodge 1.
Games leading ULM in assists: Michael Ertel 8, JD Williams 7, Tyree White 4, Jalen Hodge 3, Erie Olonade 1, D'Andre Bernard 1, Elijah Ifejeh 1, Youry White 1.
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
Jan. 11 at Georgia State: Ertel, Williams, Powell, T. White, Efretuei
Jan. 16 vs. Texas State: Ertel, Williams, Olonade, T. White, Efretuei
Jan. 18 vs. UT Arlington: Ertel, Williams, Hodge, T. White, Efretuei
Different Starting Combinations (9):
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: 3 (0-3)
Ertel, Williams, Hodge, Ifejeh, Efretuei: 1 (1-0)
Ertel, Williams, Nicholas, Ifejeh, Efretuei: 2 (1-1)
Ertel, Williams, Powell, T. White, Efretuei: 1 (0-1)
Ertel, Williams, Olonade, T. White, Efretuei: 1 (0-1)
2019-20 WARHAWK STATISTICAL TRENDS –
Games played in Fant-Ewing Coliseum: 6-5
Games played on the road: 0-7
Games played at a neutral site: 0-0
Games played in November: 3-2
Games played in December: 1-5
Games played in January: 2-5
Games played in February: 0-0
Games played in March: 0-0
When leading at halftime: 5-4
When trailing at halftime: 1-7
When tied at halftime: 0-1
When shooting .500 or better from the field: 2-1
When shooting less than .500 from the field: 4-11
When opponent shoots .500 or better from the field: 0-2
When opponent shoots less than .500 from the floor: 6-10
When outrebounding opponent: 3-2
When outrebounded by opponent: 2-10
When rebounding totals are equal: 1-0
When hitting more free throws than opponent: 5-4
When hitting fewer free throws than opponent: 1-8
When hitting the same number of free throws as opponent: 0-0
When committing fewer turnovers than opponent: 1-2
When opponent commits fewer turnovers: 4-9
When turnover totals are equal: 1-1
When ULM scores less than 50 points: 0-2
When ULM scores 50-59 points: 0-5
When ULM scores 60-69 points: 2-4
When ULM scores 70-79 points: 3-1
When ULM scores 80-89 points: 1-0
When ULM scores 90-99 points: 0-0
When opponent scores less than 50 points: 2-0
When opponent scores 50-59 points: 0-0
When opponent scores 60-69 points: 3-8
When opponent scores 70-79 points: 1-2
When opponent scores 80-89 points: 0-1
When opponent scores 90-99 points: 0-1
Games decided by five points or less: 1-4
Games decided by 6-10 points: 1-2
Games decided by 11-19 points: 1-2
Games decided by 20 points or more: 3-4
Last five games: 0-5
Last 10 games: 2-8
Largest deficit overcome to win: 4 (3x)
(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 (3x)
(34-24 at Texas A&M, Nov. 11; 62-52 vs. Little Rock, Dec. 19; 46-36 vs. Texas State, Jan. 16)
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.
"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."
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.
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.
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.
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.
