ULM Continues Homestand with Two-Game Series Against UTA

Men's Basketball Jan 08

Games 10-11: UTA (4-6, 0-2 SBC) vs.ULM (4-5, 2-0 SBC)
Thursday, Jan. 8 | 6 p.m.
Saturday, Jan. 9 | 4 p.m.
Monroe, La. | Fant-Ewing Coliseum (7,000)
Watch: ESPN+ | Listen: KLIP 105.3FM

2020-21 ULM Basketball Notes: Games 10-11 vs. UTA

General Admission Tickets ($10)

STORYLINE –
Fresh from its Sun Belt Conference opening-series sweep over Arkansas State, ULM (4-5, 2-0 SBC) resumes league play with a two-game series against UT Arlington (4-6, 0-2 SBC) in Fant-Ewing Coliseum: Friday, Jan. 8 at 6 p.m. and Saturday, Jan. 9 at 4 p.m.

ULM's starting lineup features two double-figure scorers, in forward Russell Harrison (13.4 ppg., 5.3 rpg.) and guard Koreem Ozier (12.0 ppg., 5.0 rpg.). Harrison leads the Warhawks in scoring, rebounding and 3-point field goals made (18). Ozier averaged 15.0 points and 6.0 rebounds in the Sun Belt opening-series sweep over A-State. In addition, the Warhawk bench has outscored the opponent's reserves in six of the first nine games while providing 23.7 points per game.

THE STARTING FIVE –
• Junior forward Russell Harrison leads ULM in scoring (13.4 points per game), rebounding (5.3 pg.) and 3-point field goals made (18). The 6-foot-7 Harrison has scored in double figures in eight of the first nine games in 2020-21. He set season highs for points (22) and rebounds (9) in the home opener against Lamar.

Harrison ranks among the Sun Belt Conference's Top 20 in four different statistical categories: ninth in free-throw percentage (.806), tied for 11th in 3-point field goals made (2.0 per game), tied for 14th in scoring (13.4 ppg.) and 17th in rebounding (5.3 pg.).

• Junior guard Koreem Ozier leads the team in minutes played (33.5 per game) and ranks second in scoring (12.0 ppg.) and rebounding (5.0 rpg.). The 6-foot-1 Ozier ranks among the Sun Belt Conference's Top 10 in minutes played (seventh) and 3-point field-goal percentage (eighth at .438).

He averaged 15.0 points, 6.0 rebounds, 4.5 assists and 2.0 steals as ULM completed a two-game sweep against Arkansas State in the opening weekend of Sun Belt Conference play. Ozier made 12-of-19 field-goal attempts (.632), including 5-of-9 3-pointers (.556), during the series.

In Friday's Sun Belt opener against A-State, he hit 7-of-8 shots from the floor, including 2-of-3 3s, as well as his only free-throw attempt for 17 points as ULM defeated the Red Wolves, 84-72. Ozier added four rebounds, three assists and two steals.

He made 5-of-11 shots from the field, including 3-of-6 3-pointers, and finished with 13 points in Saturday's 62-55 win over A-State. Ozier also collected a team-high eight rebounds to go along with two assists, a blocked shot and two steals in Game 2.

Ozier has posted double figures five times, including a season-high 28 points in ULM's 66-55 victory over SFA. He made 9-of-13 shots from the field, including 4-of-5 3-pointers, and all six free-throw attempts against the Lumberjacks.

A transfer from Sacred Heart University, Ozier played a solid all-around game in ULM's 92-83 overtime win at Northwestern State, finishing with 16 points, nine rebounds and five assists.

• Junior guard Elijah Gonzales leads the Warhawks in assists (32) and steals (20). The 5-foot-11 Gonzales also has made 7-of-12 3-point field-goal attempts (.583).

The transfer from Clarendon College ranks among the Sun Belt Conference's Top 10 in steals (sixth at 2.2 per game), assist-to-turnover ratio (sixth at 2.0) and assists (seventh at 3.6 per game).
Gonzales came off the bench to provide a spark in ULM's 66-55 win over Stephen F. Austin, finishing with 16 points, four rebounds, seven assists and two steals. He connected on 6-of-8 shots from the floor, including all three from behind the 3-point arc, against SFA.

A native of Clackamas, Oregon, Gonzales added nine points, four assists and a steal in nearly 25 minutes in ULM's overtime win at Northwestern State.

• ULM ranks fifth in the Sun Belt Conference in four different statistical categories: field-goal percentage defense (.412), 3-point field-goal percentage (.364), 3-point field goals made (8.0 per game) and free-throw percentage (.695). In addition, the Warhawks are recording an assist on 54 percent (111-of-206) of their made field goals.

• Throughout preseason practice, ULM head coach Keith Richard noted the improved depth on the 2020-21 roster. Take a look his playing rotation through the first nine games and you'll see nine different players are logging at least 10 minutes per game. In addition, the Warhawk bench has outscored the opponent's reserves in six of the first nine games while providing 23.7 points per game. The bench accounted for more than 30 points in two games: a season-high 39 points in ULM's 84-72 victory over Arkansas State in the Sun Belt Conference opener and 38 in a 92-83 overtime win at Northwestern State.

ULM/UT ARLINGTON SERIES NOTES –
Friday's game marks the 74th meeting between ULM and UT Arlington. The Warhawks lead the all-time series, 51-22, including a 30-8 record in games played in Monroe, Louisiana. UTA has won 10 of the last 15 meetings overall, including the last three in a row.

UTA swept the regular-season series a year ago, winning 78-58 on Jan. 18, 2020, in Fant-Ewing Coliseum and 68-54 on Feb. 1 in College Park Center.

THE LAST TIME MEETING –
UT Arlington 68, ULM 54 (Feb. 1, 2020, in Arlington, Texas): Sam Griffin and Radshad Davis combined for 32 points while Jabari Narcis recorded his fifth double-double of the season with 13 points and 10 rebounds as UT Arlington completed the regular-season sweep over ULM with a 68-54 victory last Saturday. UTA also made 13-of-28 3-point field-goal attempts.

ULM got off to a quick start as Jalen Hodge buried back-to-back 3-pointers and Chris Efretuei converted a layup off a pass from Hodge as the Warhawks jumped out to an 8-5 lead in the first 2 1/2 minutes. With the score tied at 10, UTA put together a 10-2 run and took a 20-12 lead as Narcis rattled in a 3 from the top of the circle with 13:07 on the clock. The Warhawks answered with an 11-4 spurt and cut their deficit to one at 24-23 on Erie Olonade's layup with 7:36 to play in the opening half. After the teams traded baskets, UTA (10-13, 6-6 Sun Belt) outscored ULM, 9-0, over the final 5:27 and took a 35-25 lead into halftime. The Warhawks misfired on their last 10 field-goal attempts of the first half.

ULM (6-15, 2-10) managed to trim its deficit to seven points twice in the second half – the last time at 44-37 on Michael Ertel's 15-foot jumper from the right wing with 12:58 remaining. TiAndre Jackson-Young's 3-pointer from the right wing sparked a 12-1 run as Mavericks built an 18-point lead at 56-38 on a transition 3 from Davis out of the left corner with 9:05 to play. ULM went without a field goal for 5:39, missing five-straight shots and committing three turnovers during the stretch. Another 3-pointer from Narcis gave UTA its largest lead at 64-43 with 5:14 left.

Griffin hit 6-of-9 shots from the field, including 4-of-7 3-pointers, and finished with a game-high 17 points to pace the Mavs. Davis came off the UTA bench to contribute 15 points, connecting on 5-of-7 field-goal attempts, including a perfect 4-for-4 from behind the 3-point arc.

Tyree White led ULM in scoring for the fifth time in the last six games with 11 points to go along with seven rebounds. The Warhawks also got 10 points from Ertel.

ULM played its second-straight game without its second-leading scorer (14.1 points per game) and rebounder (5.2 per game), in JD Williams, who suffered a season-ending ankle injury early in the first half of last Saturday's game at Louisiana Lafayette.

The Warhawks' backcourt experienced another setback against UTA as Hodge left the game midway through the first half with a hyperextended knee and didn't return.

For the game, ULM shot 40 percent (23-of-57) from the floor but made only 4-of-14 3-pointers (29 percent). The Warhawks outrebounded the Mavs, 37-30.

THE LAST MEETING IN FANT-EWING COLISEUM –
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 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 field goal 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.

THE LAST TIME OUT –
ULM 62, Arkansas State 55 (Jan. 2, 2021, in Monroe, La.): ULM outscored Arkansas State, 12-5, over the closing 4 1/2 minutes en route to a 62-55 victory in Fant-Ewing Coliseum last Saturday as the Warhawks completed the series sweep on the opening weekend of Sun Belt Conference play. The Warhawks converted eight-straight free throws in the final 1:20 to ice the game.

It also marked ULM's third consecutive win over Arkansas State, matching the Warhawks' longest streak (1984-85) in series history.

Josh Nicholas sparked an early 11-0 run with his 3-pointer from the right baseline and Russell Harrison's four-point play gave ULM (4-5, 2-0 Sun Belt) its largest lead at 15-4 with 13:59 left in the first half. The Warhawks hit eight of their first 10 shots from the field, including all three from 3-point range, and enjoyed a 20-11 advantage with 12:19 to play in the opening half.

A-State (3-6, 0-2) responded with a 12-3 run of its own and tied the score at 23-all on a layup from Caleb Fields with 6:48 remaining in the first half. The Red Wolves connected on 6-of-8 field-goal attempts during that stretch while ULM experienced a scoring drought that lasted 4:13.

Johnnie Williams' 3-pointer from the right wing in transition fueled a 9-2 spurt as the Warhawks built a seven-point lead at 32-25 on 3 from Koreem Ozier with 3:53 left. A-State closed out the opening half with a 7-3 run to cut its halftime deficit to 35-32.

Playing in back-to-back games, fatigue became a factor in the second half as neither team scored for nearly the first four minutes. Trailing 42-34 with 14:33 left, Keyon Wesley scored five-straight points to key an 11-0 run for the Red Wolves. Antwon Jackson made the second of two free-throw attempts to give A-State its first lead of the game at 43-42 with 10:14 on the clock. Jackson added two more free throws as the Red Wolves took a 45-42 lead with 9:17 remaining.

ULM went exactly six minutes without a field goal until Thomas Howell's layup, off an assist from Luke Phillips, pulled the Warhawks within 45-44 with 9:02 to play. Markise Davis connected on a 3-pointer from the left corner to give A-State its biggest lead at 48-44 with 7:11 left.

With the shot clock about to expire, Nicholas buried a 3-pointer from the top of the circle as ULM cut its deficit to 48-47 with 6:32 remaining. Harrison, who reentered the ULM lineup with four fouls, promptly knocked down a 3 from straightaway as the Warhawks regained the lead at 50-48 with 5:02 to go. Fields hit a pair of free throws as A-State tied the score at 50-all with 4:31 on the clock. ULM took the lead for good at 52-50 as Harrison drove down the right side of the lane for a layup with 4:12 left.

Phillips made four-straight free throws and Elijah Gonzales contributed four more points from the charity stripe in the final 1:20 as the Warhawks sealed the series sweep.

ULM hit 19-of-47 field-goal attempts (.404), including 9-of-22 3-pointers (.409), and 15-of-18 free-throw attempts (.833). The Warhawks limited A-State to 29-percent field-goal shooting (15-of-52), including just 3-of-18 (17 percent) from 3-point range. The Red Wolves went 6 1/2 minutes between made field goals late in the second half.

A-State's guard tandem of Fields and Marquis Eaton combined to shoot 5-of-22 from the field, including only 2-of-9 from behind the 3-point arc.

A-State outrebounded ULM, 39-28, and held an 11-2 edge in second-chance points.

Three ULM players scored in double figures, led by Harrison and Ozier, who netted 13 points each. Nicholas added 11 points.

Harrison, who hit 5-of-8 field-goal attempts including 2-of-4 3-pointers, finished with four rebounds, four assists and two steals in just 25 minutes played.

Ozier, who connected on 5-of-11 shots from the floor including 3-of-6 3s, also collected a team-high eight rebounds.

Fields scored a game-high 16 points to pace the Red Wolves, with 10 of those coming in the first half. A-State also got 10 points off the bench from Jackson.

2020-21 ULM STARTING LINEUPS –
Dec. 3 at Louisiana Tech: Olonade, Ozier, Morency, Harrison, Efretuei
Dec. 6 at Northwestern State: Olonade, Ozier, Morency, Harrison, Howell
Dec. 9 vs. Lamar: Olonade, Ozier, Morency, Harrison, Efretuei
Dec. 12 vs. Stephen F. Austin: Nicholas, Ozier, Morency, Harrison, Efretuei
Dec. 16 vs. Grambling State: Gonzales, Ozier, Morency, Harrison, Efretuei
Dec. 19 at Southern Miss: Olonade, Ozier, Harrison, Howell, Efretuei
Dec. 22 vs. Louisiana Tech: Olonade, Ozier, Harrison, Howell, Efretuei
Jan. 1 vs. Arkansas State: Olonade, Ozier, Harrison, Howell, Efretuei
Jan. 2 vs. Arkansas State: Olonade, Ozier, Nicholas, Harrison, Efetuei

Different Starting Combinations (6):
Olonade, Ozier, Morency, Harrison, Efretuei: 2 (0-2)
Olonade, Ozier, Morency, Harrison, Howell: 1 (1-0)
Nicholas, Ozier, Morency, Harrison, Efretuei: 1 (1-0)
Gonzales, Ozier, Morency, Harrison, Efretuei: 1 (0-1)
Olonade, Ozier, Harrison, Howell, Efretuei: 3 (1-2)
Olonade, Ozier, Nicholas, Harrison, Efretuei: 1 (1-0)

2020-21 WARHAWK STATISTICAL TRENDS –
Games played in Fant-Ewing Coliseum: 2-3
Games played on the road: 2-2
Games played at a neutral site:m0-0

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

When leading at halftime: 2-1
When trailing at halftime: 2-4
When tied at halftime: 0-0

When shooting .500 or better from the field: 1-0
When shooting less than .500 from the field: 3-5
When opponent shoots .500 or better from the field: 0-1
When opponent shoots less than .500 from the floor: 4-4

When outrebounding opponent: 1-1
When outrebounded by opponent: 2-4
When rebounding totals are equal: 1-0

When hitting more free throws than opponent: 2-1
When hitting fewer free throws than opponent: 2-4
When hitting the same number of free throws as opponent: 0-0

When committing fewer turnovers than opponent: 3-3
When opponent commits fewer turnovers: 1-2
When turnover totals are equal: 0-0

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

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

Games decided by five points or less: 0-1
Games decided by 6-10 points: 2-0
Games decided by 11-19 points: 2-4
Games decided by 20 points or more: 0-0

Last five games: 2-3
Last 10 games: ----

Largest deficit overcome to win: 8 (12-4 vs. Arkansas State, Jan. 1)
Largest lead surrendered in a loss: 13 (38-25 vs. Lamar, Dec. 9)

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ULM Continues Homestand with Two-Game Series Against UTA