Elijah Gonzales fast break vs. Centenary 2021-22
Luke Richard/ULM Athletics
67
Centenary (LA) Cent 4-2,0-0 SCAC
104
Winner La.-Monroe ULM 3-4,0-0 Sun Belt
Centenary (LA) Cent
4-2,0-0 SCAC
67
Final
104
La.-Monroe ULM
3-4,0-0 Sun Belt
Winner
Score By Periods
Team 1 2 F
Centenary (LA) Cent 36 31 67
La.-Monroe ULM 57 47 104

Game Recap: Men's Basketball |

Six Warhawks Score in Double Figures; ULM Cruises Past Centenary, 104-67

MONROE, La. – Andre Jones and Elijah Gonzales combined for 38 points to lead ULM to a 104-67 victory over Centenary in Fant-Ewing Coliseum on Wednesday, Dec. 1. The Warhawks led from start to finish and shot a season-best 59 percent from the field (41-of-71) as six players scored in double figures.
 
ULM (3-4) scored the first seven points of the game and raced out to an 11-3 lead. Centenary answered with a 14-7 run and cut its deficit to 18-17 on AJ Hall's 3-pointer from the right corner with 12:20 remaining in the first half. Koreem Ozier hit an 18-foot jumper inside the top of the circle to spark a 14-3 spurt as the Warhawks built a 32-20 lead with 9:17 left on back-to-back 3s from Gonzales, who accounted for 10 points during the stretch. The Gents put together a 9-4 run and pulled to within seven at 36-29 on Hall's pull-up 3 from the left wing in transition with 7:15 on the clock. ULM outscored Centenary, 21-7, over the final 6:38 of the first half, connecting on eight of their last 10 field-goal attempts, and took a commanding 57-36 advantage into the intermission.
 
The Warhawks scored 50 or more points in the first half for the third time this season (60 vs. Champion Christian in the home opener and 50 vs. Northwestern State). ULM hit 63 percent (22-of-35) from the floor in the opening half, including 5-of-11 3s, and outscored the Gents in fast-break points, 24-3. Gonzales made 5-of-6 first-half field-goal attempts, including 2-of-3 triples, for 14 points.
 
"We needed a game like this coming off the heartbreaking loss at SMU Sunday," ULM head coach Keith Richard said. "The vibe in the post-game locker room felt good. We were able to do some things in the first half that we really wanted to do. The bench really came in and did a good job. Once we subbed in Elijah Gonzales and Trey Boston, we started getting stops and that led to some layups on the other end. We also were able to get the ball inside and score. After we strung together some stops, then the lead ballooned.
 
"Whenever you play non-Division I teams, the only way they can hang around most of the time is if you don't defend the 3-point line. The first 10 minutes was a learning lesson for our guys because we didn't really get out there and contest those shots. Once we got it under control and got some stops, we were able to get out and run."
 
ULM went on a 20-2 run midway through the second half and took extended its lead to 92-52 on Trey Boston's 3-pointer from the left wing with 8:14 remaining. His layup with 4:49 to play gave the Warhawks their largest lead at 99-54 with 4:47 on the clock. ULM surpassed the century mark for the second time this season on Luke Phillips' 3 from the left wing with 2:55 left, 102-59.
 
As a team, ULM finished 41-of-70 (.586) from the field, including 11-of-27 (.407) from behind the 3-point arc. The 11 3s marked a season high. The Warhawks had a decided advantage in points off turnovers, 22-0; fast-break points, 42-6; points in the paint, 54-22; and bench points, 47-23.
 
"We're still a work in progress," Richard said. "We tried some different lineups in the second half because we wanted to look at some different combinations. Besides the big score and the win, we got a lot accomplished, which is what you want to do in the preseason. We're constantly trying to get things right before we hit conference play, and we're still on that march."
 
Jones, who connected on 8-of-14 field-goal attempts, set season highs for points (21) and assists (7). Gonzales scored a career-best 17 points, hitting 6-of-7 shots from the floor including 3-of-4 3s.
 
"Elijah was all over the floor," Richard said. "I had a feeling he would provide a spark off the bench. We got off to a good start at 7-0, then relaxed and let Centenary shoot the 3 to get back into the game. Once we started defending the 3-point line, we put together some stops and were able to get out and run, which led to some layups and dunks. And Elijah played a big part in getting us out in transition."
 
ULM also got 16 points from Ozier, 14 from Boston and 10 each from Phillips and Russell Harrison.
 
Jalen Behr led the Gents with 19 points on 7-of-14 field-goal shooting, including 4-of-11 3-pointers. Ralph Johnson added 15 points for the visitors, hitting 5-of-10 shots from the floor including 2-of-3 treys.
 
Wednesday also marked the 50th anniversary of the first game played in Fant-Ewing Coliseum (Dec. 1, 1971, against Sam Houston).
 
"It was good to celebrate 50 years in this building with a big win," Richard said. "Gosh, I can still remember the very first time I walked in here on my official visit as a senior in high school. It might be hard to believe, but this building is one of the reasons I came here. I was impressed and this building made a major impact on me.
 
"Fifty years later, it needs some tender loving care. (ULM Athletics Director) Scott McDonald has some plans for future renovations, but the game atmosphere is still good. When you get a lot of people in here, it gets loud and you can feel the energy on the floor."
 
ULM continues its three-game homestand against Northwestern State on Saturday, Dec. 4, with tipoff set for 2 p.m. The two teams played 12 days ago in the Lanky Wells Classic in Ruston, Louisiana, with the Warhawks posting a 96-66 win.
 
Single-game tickets are priced at $15 for reserved seats and $12 for general admission. Those tickets are good for the second game of Saturday's doubleheader as the ULM women's basketball team faces Alcorn State at 4:30 p.m. in Fant-Ewing Coliseum.
 
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