Skip To Main Content
Skip To Main Content

Related News

ULM Closes Out Non-Conference Schedule Against Alcorn

ULM Closes Out Non-Conference Schedule Against Alcorn

Women's Basketball Dec 19
Game 11: Alcorn (4-5) vs. ULM (3-7)
Monday, Dec. 19 | 12 p.m.
Fant-Ewing Coliseum (7,000) | Monroe, La.
ESPN+ | KRJO AM 1680
 
2022-23 ULM WBB Notes: Game 11 vs. Alcorn
 
THE STORYLINE
ULM closes out its non-conference schedule against Alcorn (4-5) on Monday, Dec. 19, with a noon tipoff in Fant-Ewing Coliseum. The Warhawks are looking to end a three-game losing streak to build confidence and momentum, heading into the Sun Belt Conference opening series against Arkansas State (Dec. 29) and Georgia State (Dec. 31) at home. After an 0-3 start, Alcorn has won four of its last six games. ULM leads the all-time series against the Braves, 11-3, including a perfect 7-0 record in games played in Fant-Ewing Coliseum.
 
TIP-OFF | THE STARTING FIVE
• ULM closes out its non-conference schedule against Alcorn (4-5) on Monday, Dec. 19, with a noon tipoff in Fant-Ewing Coliseum. The Warhawks are looking to end a three-game losing streak to build confidence and momentum, heading into the Sun Belt Conference opening series against Arkansas State (Dec. 29) and Georgia State (Dec. 31) at home.
 
After an 0-3 start, Alcorn has won four of its last six games; however, the Braves are winless on the road this season (0-5).
 
• Monday's game marks the 15th meeting between ULM and Alcorn. The Warhawks lead the all-time series, 11-3, including a perfect 7-0 record in games played in Fant-Ewing Coliseum. Behind a game-high 18 points from Gara Beth Self (4-of-8 3FG shooting), ULM defeated Alcorn, 74-60, on Dec. 4, 2021. The Warhawks outscored the Braves, 28-6, in the third quarter to break open a close game.
 
Alcorn's last win in the series came on Dec. 8, 2014, 62-53, in Lorman, Mississippi.
 
• Red-shirt senior guard/forward Kierra Brimzy leads ULM and ranks No. 27 in the Sun Belt Conference in scoring, averaging 10.1 points per game. The 5-foot-9 Brimzy has scored in double figures seven times this season, including three of the last four games (averaging 12.5 ppg. during that stretch). She recorded her first career double-double against Champion Christian, finishing with 13 points and a career-best 10 rebounds. Brimzy scored a season-high 18 points in the opener against Louisiana Christian.
 
ULM's playing rotation features three others players who are averaging better than 7.0 points per game, including graduate center Emma Merriweather (9.4 ppg.), sophomore forward Katlyn Manuel (8.9 ppg.) and sophomore guard Olivia Knight (7.4 ppg.). Five different Warhawks have led the team in scoring this season.
 
• Graduate center Emma Merriweather ranks as ULM's leading rebounder (8.3 rpg.) and second-leading scorer (9.4 ppg.). On a minutes-played basis, those statistics are equivalent to 20.0 points and 17.7 rebounds per game.
 
The 6-foot-5 Merriweather leads the Sun Belt Conference and ranks No. 15 in NCAA Division I in offensive rebounding, averaging 4.2 per game. She also is listed among the league leaders in field-goal percentage (third at .576), rebounding (third at 8.3 rpg.) and blocked shots (third at 1.8 pg.). Merriweather has posted two double-doubles this season, scoring a career-high 30 points and collecting a season-high 15 rebounds against Champion Christian and contributing 13 points and 10 boards against Central Arkansas.
 
• As a team, ULM ranks third in the Sun Belt Conference and No. 16 in NCAA Division I in offensive rebounds, averaging 16.4 per game. In addition, the Warhawks are listed among the league leaders in three additional statistical categories: second in assist-to-turnover ratio (1.0), second in blocked shots (4.3 pg.) and fourth in assists (14.5 pg.).
 
WILLIAMS' WORDS:
ON BRE SUTTON'S PERFORMANCE AGAINST TENNESSEE TECH:
"Playing Bre Sutton and Olivia Knight together (in the lineup) has been a big help for both of them. We're able to play a little bit faster pace, and that's certainly a strength of ours as a team.
 
"Bre shines in those moments where she can take the ball coast to coast and get to the rim. That's something she did really well today. Bre has worked hard to improve her game offensively, especially in executing in the half court. She was patient, played under control and exploded to get to the rim when the opportunity arose." 
 
ON ULM'S STRUGGLES FROM BEHIND THE 3-POINT ARC:
"We need to get some production from behind the 3-point line. We have to continue to get in the gym and work on building their confidence. We have some good 3-point shooters, who have been just a little bit off for the last few weeks. If we can get a few of those 3s to drop, it's going to build tremendous confidence for our team."
 
WHAT IS SO IMPORTANT ABOUT HOME GAMES WHEN YOU ARE DEVELOPING A TEAM?
"Home games are important in so many ways. We get to stay in our routine and in our beds in preparation. There's nothing like game day in your own arena. It's a comfort, a confidence that you don't get anywhere else but at home. We've established a solid fan base that we can count on to cheer us on. It makes a huge difference.
 
It's a big confidence boost when you know you have fan support! We are fortunate we have some loyal fans who impact our games tremendously. We are excited for that to continue to grow."
 
HOW DO YOU KNOW WHEN THE BREAKTHROUGH IS COMING?
"We are so close. We are a play or so away from some fun things happening. Our girls know it. They can feel it. We can too! That breakout moment hasn't come for us yet. We are working hard while we stay competitively patient! I can't wait to see it."
 
 
Print Friendly Version