ULM Plays Host to Sun Belt Preseason Favorite South Alabama

Men's Basketball Jan 03

Game 13: South Alabama (8-6, 1-2 Sun Belt) vs. ULM (5-7, 1-2 Sun Belt)
Saturday, Jan. 4 | 2 p.m.
Monroe, La. | Fant-Ewing Coliseum (7,000)

ULM Basketball Notes: Game 13 vs. South Alabama

TICKET PROMOTION: BUY ONE TICKET, GET ONE FREE (BOGO)
Purchase a courtside-riser seat ($20), reserved seat ($15) or general admission ($10) ticket and receive a second one of the same value for free to the Jan. 4 Sun Belt Conference game against South Alabama.

STORYLINE –
Fresh from its 79-63 victory over Troy, ULM (5-7, 1-2) looks to reach the .500 mark in the Sun Belt Conference play against preseason favorite South Alabama (8-6, 1-2) on Saturday, Jan. 4 at 2 p.m. in Fant-Ewing Coliseum. The Warhawks dropped their first two league games at home by a combined total of four points (73-72 vs. Little Rock and 62-59 vs. Arkansas State).

Seven of ULM's 12 games have been decided by eight points or less (2-5 record).

ULM's defense will be tested by one of the Sun Belt's top offensive teams as USA ranks second in the league in field-goal percentage (.469) and fourth in scoring offense (75.0 points per game). The Warhawks have held all 12 of its opponents below 50-percent shooting from the field.

THE STARTING FIVE –
• ULM's starting backcourt of Michael Ertel and JD Williams has combined to average 30.5 points per game. The tandem has combined to account for 48 percent (365 of 768 points) of the team's scoring through the first 12 games. Ertel (seventh at 15.3 points per game) and Williams (eighth at 15.2 ppg.) both rank among the Sun Belt Conference's Top 10 in scoring.

Ertel also listed among the league's Top 10 in three additional statistical categories: first in minutes played (37.0 pg.), ninth in field-goal percentage (.399) and ninth in free-throw percentage (.780). His 37.0 minutes per game rank No. 15 among NCAA Division I players. The Indianapolis, Indiana, native has scored in double figures in 18 of his last 19 games (dating back to last season).

Williams also ranks among the Sun Belt's Top 20 in minutes played (second at 36.6 mpg.), field-goal percentage (seventh at .421), steals (10th at 1.5 spg.) and rebounding (13th at 5.8 rpg.).

• Sophomore guard Jalen Hodge has scored in double figures in five of his last eight games (87 points), averaging 10.9 points during that stretch. The 6-foot-1, 180-pound Hodge has made 29 of his last 56 field-goal attempts (.519), including 14-of-24 (.583) 3-pointers, during the eight-game span.

Hodge netted 10 points each in back-to-back Sun Belt Conference games against Little Rock (4-of-5 FG shooting including 1-of-2 3-pointers) and Arkansas State (4-of-6 FG shooting). He scored 17 points in his first career start at SFA last Saturday, connecting on 4-of-5 3-pointers and all five of his three-throw attempts. Hodge connected on 7-of-11 shots from the field, including 5-of-6 3-pointers, and finished with a career-high 22 points against Grambling State (netted 13 first-half points). The O'Fallon, Illinois, native scored in double figures for the first time in his ULM career against Northwestern State, posting 12 points (4-of-8 FG shooting including 3-of-6 3-pointers).

• Five of ULM's seven 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.

• ULM ranks among the Sun Belt Conference leaders in scoring defense (second at 63.9 points per game), 3-point field-goal percentage defense (fourth at .314), 3-point field-goal percentage (third at .351), rebound margin (tied for third at +1.0 pg.), blocked shots (fifth at 3.7 pg.) and field-goal percentage defense (sixth at .410).

In league games, ULM leads the Sun Belt in 3-point field-goal percentage (.424) and scoring defense (66.0 ppg.) while ranking second in field-goal percentage (.511) and rebound margin (+5.3 pg.).

• Through 12 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 seven 20-point games (4 by Michael Ertel, 2 by JD Williams and 1 by Jalen Hodge).

SOUTH ALABAMA SCOUTING REPORT –
Preseason Sun Belt favorite South Alabama (8-6, 1-2) posted its first conference win of the season at the Ragin' Cajuns, 60-57, on Thursday. The Jaguars have won two in a row, including a 76-47 victory over Mobile in their final non-conference game of the season. South Alabama opened league play with back-to-back home-court losses to Appalachian State (81-71) and Coastal Carolina (81-69).

Under second-year head coach Richie Riley, USA's playing rotation features three double-figure scorers, in 6-foot-6 forward Josh Ajayi (15.1 points per game, 7.4 rebounds per game), 6-4 guard Andre Fox (14.7 ppg.) and 6-4 guard Chad Lott (13.5 ppg., 5.6 rpg.). Preseason Sun Belt Player of the Year Trhae Mitchell averages 9.8 points and 5.2 rebounds per game.

Ajayi ranks among the Sun Belt's Top 10 in four statistical categories: first in field-goal percentage (.602), third in rebounding (7.4 rpg.), fourth in offensive rebounds (2.5 pg.) and ninth in scoring (15.1 ppg.). He's also tied for second in the league with four double-doubles, including a 13-point, 12-rebound effort in Thursday's victory at ULL.

Fox is listed among the league's Top 10 in free-throw percentage (third at .851), 3-point field-goal percentage (seventh at .350), 3-point field goals made (ninth at 2.0 pg.) and scoring (12th at 14.7 ppg.). He has scored in double figures in 11 games, including four 20-point performances. Fox netted a career-high 28 points against LaSalle in the Gulf Coast Showcase.

Lott has reached double figures in nine games, including a season-high 20 points against Miami (Ohio) in the Gulf Coast Showcase.

Mitchell leads the Sun Belt in blocked shots (2.1 pg.) and ranks tied for 18th in rebounding (5.2 rpg.).

As a team, USA leads the conference in free-throw percentage (.755) and blocked shots (5.0 pg.). In addition, the Jaguars are listed among the Sun Belt leaders in field-goal percentage (second at .469), scoring offense (fourth at 75.0 ppg.), steals (fifth at 7.6 pg.), scoring margin (sixth at +4.6 ppg.) and assist-to-turnover ratio (sixth at 1.0).

USA has shot better than 50 percent from the field in six games, including a season-best 59.6 percent against Miami (Ohio).

ULM/SOUTH ALABAMA SERIES NOTES –
Saturday's game marks the 26th meeting between ULM and South Alabama. The Warhawks lead the all-time series, 13-12, including a 6-7 record in games played in Monroe. ULM has won nine of the last 11 meetings overall.

In 2018-19, South Alabama won the only regular-season meeting, 78-72, in Fant-Ewing Coliseum on Jan. 26, 2019.

THE LAST MEETING –
South Alabama 78, ULM 72 (Jan. 26, 2019, in Monroe, La.): ULM stumbled on its homecourt for the first time in 2018-19 in a 78-72 loss to South Alabama.

The Warhawks (11-8, 4-3) won their first nine home games before their fortunes ran out against the visiting Jaguars (10-11, 3-5) before a home crowd of 5,206.

South Alabama exploited ULM inside and outscored the Warhawks, 42-22, in the paint. On a day when ULM made 11-of-33 3-pointers and shot 41 percent (23-of-56) from the floor, it was too much to overcome.

Neither team could pull away in the game as the score was tied 11 times, including eight times in the second half.

Daishon Smith led ULM with 19 points, Travis Munnings scored 15 and Brandon Newman scored 10 off the bench.

Trhae Mitchell paced the Jaguars with 23 points while Josh Ajayi scored 19. John Pettway added 16 and Herb McGee scored 12 for USA, which shot 52.7 percent overall from the field.

A close, low-wattage first half saw ULM take a 34-32 lead into halftime.

The Warhawks 44.8 percent (13 of 29) from the floor and just 27.8 percent (5 of 18) on 3-pointers. Munnings and Newman led ULM in first-half scoring with seven points each.

Newman led the bench brigade with his 3-of-3 shooting, including a 3-pointer in seven minutes. With Munnings and JD Williams limited with two fouls, ULM's bench outscored South Alabama, 12-2, in the opening half.

After leading by as many as eight in the first half, the Warhawks couldn't put the pesky Jaguars away in the second half.

ULM got sloppy over a stretch of several minutes with four turnovers and the Jaguars took advantage. A steal and breakaway dunk by Pettway with 8:12 gave South Alabama the lead at 56-55.

The Warhawks wouldn't regain the lead until the 4:05 mark on a pair of Smith free throws and that was short-lived as South Alabama answered again.

Munnings followed with a layup and converted a conventional 3-point play with the free throw to tie the score 66-66.

Free throws by Ajayi and Mitchell extended USA's lead before Herb McGee's long 3-pointer gave the Jaguars a 73-66 lead with 27 seconds remaining.

That proved to be the dagger and ULM couldn't make up the deficit down the stretch as the Jaguars made 12-of-14 shots from the free-throw line in the second half.

THE LAST TIME OUT –
ULM 79, Troy 63 (Jan. 2, 2020, in Monroe, La.): Tyree White scored a career-high 19 points and ULM snapped a five-game losing streak with a gritty 79-63 win over Troy at Fant-Ewing Coliseum Thursday night. White went 5-of-11 from the floor and made 9-of-12 free throws.

The Warhawks (5-7, 1-2) overcame a flurry of self-inflicted wounds in the first half and surged down the stretch to claim their first Sun Belt Conference win of the year. ULM hadn't won a game since topping Millsaps College on Dec. 4.

The Warhawks outscored Troy, 48-30, in the second half after trailing by two at halftime.

Guard Josh Nicholas continued his emergence, setting career highs with 15 points and seven rebounds. Appearing in just his sixth game, he came off the bench at Butler to lead the team with 12 points in ULM's last outing.

JD Williams scored 12 during the second-half charge and finished with 17 points. Michael Ertel added 11 for ULM, which shot 52.2 percent overall (24-of-46) and made 26-of-34 free throws (76.5 percent).

Ty Gordon led Troy (5-9, 1-2) with 17 points. The Trojans shot 39.7 percent (23 of 58) and made just 10 of 18 from the free-throw line.

Nicholas scored nine first-half points off the bench and the Warhawks led by as many as 11 points at the 4:07 mark in the first half but melted down the stretch.

ULM made eight-straight turnovers to finish the first half and Troy enjoyed a 13-0 run that allowed the visiting team to retake the lead at 33-31 with 1:31 remaining. Troy made five of its last seven field goals and cranked up the defensive pressure over the final 3:40 to send ULM to the locker room searching for answers down by two.

The Warhawks toiled more than six minutes without a field goal until Chris Efretuei's dunk at the 17:47 mark in the second half.

ULM weathered the mid-game storm and started to make its move. The Warhawks tied the game at 39-39 on a free throw by White and reclaimed the lead at 41-40 with 12:18 to go on an Ertel layup. Ertel also was instrumental in helping ULM settle down after the turnover spell.

A 6-0 ULM run pushed the lead to eight at 58-50 with 7:46 to go in the game. The Warhawks had rebuilt their edge to 11 again at the 5:39 mark on a pair of White free throws.

Williams drained a 3-pointer to punctuate an 8-0 run that saw ULM stack its lead to 66-52 with 5:00 remaining and ULM would lead by as many as 18 points down the stretch.

INSIDE THE NUMBERS –
• ULM has held all 12 of its opponents below 50-percent shooting from the field. 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).

• ULM is 4-1 when scoring 70 or more points.

• Seven of ULM's 12 games have been decided by eight points or less (2-5 record).

• Through 12 games, ULM has outscored its opponents, 157-133, from the free-throw line. The Warhawks have outscored their opponents from the charity stripe in seven games. ULM has made 20 or more free throws in two games: 22 vs. Millsaps College and season-high 26 vs. Troy.

• ULM has recorded assists on at least 50 percent of its field goals in seven games, including three of the last four contests. The Warhawks were credited with assists on a season-best 64 percent of their field goals (16-25) vs. Northwestern State.

• The Warhawks have been whistled for fewer fouls than their opponents in seven of 12 games.

WARHAWKS TOUGH ON HOMECOURT –
ULM is 31-10 (.756) in games played in Fant-Ewing Coliseum since 2017-18, including a 19-6 record (.760) in its last 25 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.

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 117 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 845 of ULM's 1,003 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 (29): Michael Ertel 10, JD Williams 9, Jalen Hodge 5, Tyree White 2, Youry White 1, Chris Efretuei 1, Josh Nicholas 1. Opponents: 28.

20-point games (7): Michael Ertel 4, JD Williams 2, Jalen Hodge. Opponents: 1.

30-point games (0): None. Opponents: 1.

40-point games (0): None. Opponents: None.

Double-figure rebounding games (1): D'Andre Bernard 1. Opponents: 2.

Double-doubles (0): None. Opponents: 1.

Games leading ULM in scoring: JD Williams 4, Michael Ertel 3, Jalen Hodge 2, Tyree White 1, Josh Nicholas 1.

Games leading ULM in rebounding: JD Williams 3, D'Andre Bernard 2, Chris Efretuei 2, Youry White 2, Tyree White 1, Michael Ertel 1, Jalen Hodge 1.

Games leading ULM in assists: Michael Ertel 6, JD Williams 5, Tyree White 3, Jalen Hodge 2, 1 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

Different Starting Combinations (6):
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: 1 (0-1)
Ertel, Williams, Hodge, Ifejeh, Efretuei: 1 (1-0)

2019-20 WARHAWK STATISTICAL TRENDS –
Games played in Fant-Ewing Coliseum: 5-3
Games played on the road: 0-4
Games played at a neutral site: 0-0

Games played in November: 3-2
Games played in December: 1-5
Games played in January: 1-0
Games played in February: 0-0
Games played in March: 0-0

When leading at halftime: 4-3
When trailing at halftime: 1-3
When tied at halftime: 0-1

When shooting .500 or better from the field: 2-1
When shooting less than .500 from the field: 3-6
When opponent shoots .500 or better from the field: 0-0
When opponent shoots less than .500 from the floor: 5-7

When outrebounding opponent: 2-2
When outrebounded by opponent: 2-5
When rebounding totals are equal: 1-0

When hitting more free throws than opponent: 5-2
When hitting fewer free throws than opponent: 0-5
When hitting the same number of free throws as opponent: 0-0

When committing fewer turnovers than opponent: 1-0
When opponent commits fewer turnovers: 3-7
When turnover totals are equal: 1-0

When ULM scores less than 50 points: 0-2
When ULM scores 50-59 points: 0-3
When ULM scores 60-69 points: 1-1
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: 1-0
When opponent scores 50-59 points: 0-0
When opponent scores 60-69 points: 3-6
When opponent scores 70-79 points: 1-1
When opponent scores 80-89 points: 0-0
When opponent scores 90-99 points: 0-0

Games decided by five points or less: 1-3
Games decided by 6-10 points: 1-2
Games decided by 11-19 points: 1-1
Games decided by 20 points or more: 2-1

Last five games: 1-4
Last 10 games: 3-7

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)

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.

UPCOMING PROMOTIONS –
$5 General Admission
Thursday, Jan. 16 vs. Texas State (7 p.m. tipoff)
All general admission tickets are $5 – half off the regular single-game price – for ULM's Jan. 16 Sun Belt Conference game against Texas State.

Youth Day
Saturday, Jan. 18 vs. UT Arlington (2 p.m. tipoff)
Youth 18 and under will receive a free general admission ticket to the Jan. 18 Sun Belt Conference game against UT Arlington. Following the game, children 12 and under will be permitted on the court to shoot baskets for 20 minutes.

Print Friendly Version

ULM Warhawks

Related News

ULM Plays Host to Sun Belt Preseason Favorite South Alabama