Game 23: Georgia State (15-9, 8-5 Sun Belt) vs. ULM (6-16, 2-11 Sun Belt)
Saturday, Feb. 8 | 2 p.m. CT
Monroe, La. | Fant-Ewing Coliseum (7,000)
Watch: ESPN+ | Listen: KLIP 105.3FM
ULM Basketball Notes: Game 23 vs. Georgia State
TICKET PROMOTIONS:
DONATE THOSE DUFFLES
Everyday, a child in foster care transitions into another home without proper luggage. Help the Junior League of Monroe break the cycle. Support "Donate Those Duffles" by bringing in duffles to ensure youth in our area have the appropriate luggage. Donate a duffle bag Saturday and receive 4 free general admission tickets ($10 each; $40 value) for ULM's basketball doubleheader. The ULM women's basketball team entertains South Alabama at noon.
YOUTH DAY
Youth 18 and under will receive a free general admission ticket to the Feb. 8 Sun Belt Conference game against Georgia State. Following the game, children 12 and under will be permitted on the court to shoot baskets for 20 minutes.
STORYLINE –
Following a 67-65 loss to Georgia Southern, ULM (6-16, 2-11 Sun Belt) closes out its two-game homestand against Georgia State on Saturday, Feb. 8 (2:30 p.m. tipoff). The Warhawks are seeking to end a nine-game losing streak in league play.
Seven of ULM's 16 losses have come by a combined total of 25 points. The Warhawks are 1-5 in games decided by five points on less.
ULM junior guard Michael Ertel leads the team in scoring (16.0 ppg.), 3-point field goals (46) and assists (63). Ertel has scored in double figures in 20 of 22 games, including six 20-point outings.
Senior forward Tyree White has been a model of consistency over his last seven games, averaging 15.1 points and 6.9 rebounds.
THE STARTING FIVE –
• ULM enters its third-straight game without its second-leading scorer (14.1 ppg.) and rebounder (5.2 rpg.), in JD Williams, who suffered a season-ending ankle injury early in the first half at the Ragin' Cajuns last Saturday. Williams underwent surgery on Jan. 31 to repair his fractured left ankle.
ULM's starting backcourt of Michael Ertel and Williams had combined to average 29.5 points per game. The tandem had combined to account for 47 percent (560 of 1,200 points) of the team's scoring through the first 19 games.
Ertel is ranked among the Sun Belt's Top 10 in five statistical categories: first in minutes played (37.4 pg.), fifth in scoring (16.0 ppg.), eighth in field-goal percentage (.417), eighth in free-throw percentage (.797), ninth in 3-point field-goal percentage (.357) and 10th in 3-point field goals made (2.1 mpg.). His 37.4 minutes per game rank No. 10 among NCAA Division I players. He has scored in double figures in 27 of his last 29 games (dating back to last season).
• Senior forward Tyree White is averaging 15.1 points and 6.9 rebounds over his last seven games. The 6-foot-8, 205-pound White is hitting 53 percent (39-of-74) of his field-goal attempts, including 36 percent (5-of-14) from behind the 3-point arc, and 79 percent (23-of-29) from the free-throw line during the stretch. He has led the Warhawks in scoring in five of his last seven games. White contributed 10 points (5-of-10 FG shooting) in ULM's 67-65 loss to Georgia Southern Thursday night. He scored 15 points and grabbed seven rebounds at Texas State and followed with 11 points and seven boards at UT Arlington. White recorded his first career double-double at the Ragin' Cajuns with 15 points and a career-best 13 rebounds. He previously posted 21 points at Georgia State, 16 against Texas State and 18 against UT Arlington.
• ULM has held 20 of its 22 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 four games: .538 vs. Alcorn State (28-52), season-high .542 vs. Little Rock (26-48), .522 vs. Troy (24-46) and .521 vs. Georgia Southern (25-48).
• Seven of ULM's 16 losses have come by a combined total of 25 points. The Warhawks led in the second half in each of those seven losses (at Texas A&M, vs. Grambling State, at SFA, vs. Little Rock, vs. Arkansas State, vs. Texas State and vs. Georgia Southern). ULM's nine-game losing streak matches the program's longest since a nine-game skid during the 2012-13 season.
• ULM ranks among the Sun Belt Conference leaders in scoring defense (fifth at 67.7 points per game), 3-point field-goal percentage defense (fifth at .322), blocked shots (fifth at 3.3 pg.) and 3-point field-goal percentage (sixth at .336).
ULM/GEORGIA SOUTHERN SERIES NOTES –
Saturday's game marks the 18th meeting between ULM and Georgia State. The Panthers lead the all-time series, 9-8, including a 3-5 record in games played in Monroe. Georgia State has won nine of the last 12 meetings.
On Jan. 11, Georgia State won the first regular-season meeting 84-62 in Atlanta.
THE LAST MEETING –
Georgia State 84, ULM 62 (Jan. 11, 2020, in Atlanta): Justin Roberts hit 7-of-9 3-pointers and finished with a career-high 23 points to lead Georgia State to an 84-62 victory over ULM while extending the Panthers' home-court winning streak to 14 games.
Georgia State (12-6, 5-2 Sun Belt) shot 62 percent (18-of-29) from the field in the second half, including 70 percent (7-of-10) from behind the 3-point arc, to break open a close game. The Panthers outscored ULM, 47-30, after the intermission.
GSU raced out to a 14-8 lead on Chris Clerkley's fast-break layup off a turnover with 14:26 to play in the first half, but JD Williams hit a 15-foot jumper from the left baseline and Tyree White followed with a baseline drive for a layup and two free throws as ULM tied the score at 14-all with 11:44 on the clock. The Panthers connected on four of their next five field-goal attempts during a 12-3 run and took a 26-17 lead on a layup by Nelson Phillips. GSU extended its lead to 11 at 34-23 on a pair of free throws from Joe Jones III with 4:52 remaining. Michael Ertel's 3-pointer from the right corner sparked a 9-3 run as the Warhawks trimmed their halftime deficit to 37-32 as Erie Olonade buried a step-back 3 from the left wing with :05 left in the opening half.
Roberts hit 5-of-6 field-goal attempts, including 4-of-5 3s, for 14 first-half points.
The Panthers opened the second half with a 26-7 run to extend their lead to 63-39 on Kavonte Ivery's 3-pointer from the top of the circle. GSU led by as many as 27 points on five occasions in the second half.
Three other Panthers joined Roberts in double figures as Corey Allen scored 18 points and Phillips and Damon Wilson each added 11.
For the game, GSU hit 30-of-52 field-goal attempts (58 percent), including 13-of-23 3-pointers (57 percent). ULM went 20-of-51 (39 percent) from the field, including 5-of-15 (33 percent) from 3-point range. The Panthers outrebounded the Warhawks, 31-25, and held a 24-5 advantage in fast-break points.
Tyree White led ULM (6-10, 2-5) with a career-high 21 points, with 14 of those coming in the first half. White, who made 6-of-11 shots from the floor and 9-of-11 from the free-throw line, also grabbed nine rebounds.
The Warhawks also got 14 points from Williams and 10 from Ertel.
THE LAST MEETING IN FANT-EWING COLISEUM –
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, the ULM basketball team had one final order of business.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
Munnings, Ertel and JD Williams had 12 points each for the Warhawks. Munnings also had nine boards as ULM outrebounded Georgia State, 37-27.
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.
THE LAST TIME OUT –
Georgia Southern 67, ULM 65 (Feb. 6, 2020, in Monroe, La.): ULM lost another close one Thursday night as Georgia Southern prevailed 67-65 at Fant-Ewing Coliseum.
Despite weathering a major dry spell after halftime, the Warhawks had a shot at victory at the end.
Michael Ertel's driving layup with 45 seconds narrowed the gap to 65-62 and Erie Olonade's 3-pointer with six seconds remaining cut the lead to 67-65.
After a timeout, ULM quickly fouled Quan Jackson, who missed the front end of a one-and-one. The Warhawks rebounded and Josh Nicholas launched a half-court shot that rimmed out as time expired.
Seven of ULM's 16 losses have come by a combined 25 points. The Warhawks dropped their ninth straight to fall to 6-16, 2-11 in the Sun Belt Conference.
Heroic in defeat, Ertel scored 30 points, including 22 in the second half.
Olonade added a career-high 11 points for the Warhawks.
Quan Jackson scored 24 to lead Georgia Southern (14-10, 8-5). Ike Smith contributed 17 points and Simeon Carter had 13.
Tyree White was part of ULM's fast start and helped the team to a 32-31 halftime lead. White scored eight of ULM's first 16 points as the Warhawks doubled up their foe 16-8 over the first 10 minutes.
The Warhawks led 19-10 after a 3-pointer by Olonade capped an 11-4 run.
Georgia Southern used an 11-2 run of its own to tie the game at 21-21 with 5:42 left in the half.
The beginning of the second half wasn't kind to ULM. The Eagles took a 52-35 lead with a 21-3 run out of the break. The Warhawks made six turnovers during the downturn.
Ertel's 3-pointer with 12:32 ended a long drought for ULM and opened a 12-0 run for the Warhawks that cut the lead to 52-47 with 9:26 to play. Ertel stroked five-straight free throws to cut the lead to five and scored 14 of ULM's first 17 points in the second half.
ULM closed within three points at the 4:51 mark as Youry White's layup made it a 57-54 game.
But Georgia Southern's Jackson hit back-to-back 3-pointers as the Eagles surged back to a 63-54 advantage.
Ertel's 3-pointer brought ULM within 63-57 with 3:14 remaining in the game. The Warhawks moved even closer at 63-59 on a hook shot by Chris Efretuei. Olonade's free throw made it a three-point game again at the 1:23 mark 63-60. But again, the Eagles got a timely bucket and led 65-60 with 1:09 showing to keep the Warhawks just out of reach at the end.
INSIDE THE NUMBERS –
• Michael Ertel is averaging 15.3 points, 4.0 rebounds and 3.0 assists in four career games against Georgia State. Ertel has scored in double figures in all four games, including one 20-point effort. He has hit 49 percent (22-of-45) of his field-goal attempts against the Panthers, including 46 percent (11-of-24) from behind the 3-point arc.
• Through 22 games, ULM has allowed only five opposing players to score 20 or more points. Georgia Southern's Quan Jackson netted 20 of his season-high 24 points (9-of-17 FG shooting including 4-of-6 3-pointers) in the second half as the Eagles escaped with a 67-65 win over the Warhawks Thursday night.
Jalen Johnson scored a career-high 27 points to lead Louisiana Lafayette to an 81-60 victory over rival ULM as the Ragin' Cajuns snapped a four-game losing streak in Sun Belt Conference play. Johnson hit 7-of-10 field-goal attempts, including 3-of-6 3-pointers, and 10-of-12 free-throw attempts.
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.
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 11 20-point games (6 by Michael Ertel, 3 by JD Williams, 1 by Jalen Hodge and 1 by Tyree White).
• ULM is 4-1 when scoring 70 or more points.
• Nine of ULM's 22 games have been decided by eight points or less (2-7 record).
• ULM has recorded assists on at least 50 percent of its field goals in 13 games, including nine of the last 14 contests. The Warhawks were credited with assists on a season-best 74 percent of their field goals (20-27) vs. South Alabama.
• ULM ranks fifth in the Sun Belt Conference in overall average home attendance (1,872 per game) and fourth in attendance for league home games (1,940 per game).
WARHAWKS TOUGH ON HOMECOURT –
ULM is 32-13 (.711) 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.
WARHAWK STAT LEADERS –
Double-figure scoring games (60): Michael Ertel 20, JD Williams 15, Tyree White 10, Jalen Hodge 7, Josh Nicholas 2, Chris Efretuei 2, Langston Powell 2, Youry White 1, Erie Olonade 1. Opponents: 62.
20-point games (11): Michael Ertel 6, JD Williams 3, Jalen Hodge 1, Tyree White 1. Opponents: 5.
30-point games (2): Michael Ertel 2. Opponents: 1.
40-point games (0): None. Opponents: None.
Double-figure rebounding games (3): D'Andre Bernard 1, Chris Efretuei 1, Tyree White 1. Opponents: 5.
Double-doubles (1): Tyree White 1. Opponents: 4.
Games leading ULM in scoring: Tyree White 6, Michael Ertel 6, JD Williams 5, Jalen Hodge 2, Josh Nicholas 1, Langston Powell 1.
Games leading ULM in rebounding: Tyree White 6, JD Williams 5, Chris Efretuei 3, D'Andre Bernard 3, Youry White 2, Josh Nicholas 2, Michael Ertel 1, Jalen Hodge 1, Erie Olonade 1.
Games leading ULM in assists: Michael Ertel 10, JD Williams 7, Tyree White 4, Jalen Hodge 3, Langston Powell 2, Erie Olonade 1, D'Andre Bernard 1, Elijah Ifejeh 1, Youry White 1, Josh Nicholas 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
Jan. 25 at Ragin' Cajuns: Ertel, Williams, Powell, T. White, Efretuei
Jan. 30 at Texas State: Ertel, Hodge, Powell, T. White, Efretuei
Feb. 1 at UT Arlington: Ertel, Hodge, Powell, T. White, Efretuei
Feb. 6 vs. Georgia Southern: Ertel, Nicholas, Powell, T. White, Efretuei
Different Starting Combinations (11):
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: 2 (0-2)
Ertel, Williams, Olonade, T. White, Efretuei: 1 (0-1)
Ertel, Hodge, Powell, T. White, Efretuei: 2 (0-2)
Ertel, Nicholas, Powell, T. White Efretuei: 1 (0-1)
2019-20 WARHAWK STATISTICAL TRENDS –
Games played in Fant-Ewing Coliseum: 6-6
Games played on the road: 0-10
Games played at a neutral site: 0-0
Games played in November: 3-2
Games played in December: 1-5
Games played in January: 2-7
Games played in February: 0-2
Games played in March: 0-0
When leading at halftime: 5-6
When trailing at halftime: 1-9
When tied at halftime: 0-1
When shooting .500 or better from the field: 2-2
When shooting less than .500 from the field: 4-14
When opponent shoots .500 or better from the field: 0-2
When opponent shoots less than .500 from the floor: 6-14
When outrebounding opponent: 3-3
When outrebounded by opponent: 2-11
When rebounding totals are equal: 1-2
When hitting more free throws than opponent: 5-6
When hitting fewer free throws than opponent: 1-10
When hitting the same number of free throws as opponent: 0-0
When committing fewer turnovers than opponent: 1-3
When opponent commits fewer turnovers: 4-12
When turnover totals are equal: 1-1
When ULM scores less than 50 points: 0-2
When ULM scores 50-59 points: 0-7
When ULM scores 60-69 points: 2-6
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: 3-10
When opponent scores 70-79 points: 1-3
When opponent scores 80-89 points: 0-2
When opponent scores 90-99 points: 0-1
Games decided by five points or less: 1-5
Games decided by 6-10 points: 1-2
Games decided by 11-19 points: 1-3
Games decided by 20 points or more: 3-6
Last five games: 0-5
Last 10 games: 1-9
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 (4x)
(34-24 at Texas A&M, Nov. 11; 62-52 vs. Little Rock, Dec. 19; 46-36 vs. Texas State, Jan. 16; 19-9 at Texas State, Jan. 30)
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.
