ULM Faces A-State in Sun Belt Championship First Round

Women's Basketball Feb 27

Game 30: (14) ULM (7-22, 3-15 Sun Belt) vs. (11) Arkansas State (11-18, 6-12 Sun Belt)
Sun Belt Conference Women's Basketball Championship | First Round
Tuesday, Feb. 28 | 2 p.m. CT
Pensacola Bay Center (8,000) | Pensacola, Fla.
ESPN+ | KRJO Radio AM 1680

2022-23 ULM WBB Notes Game 30 vs. Arkansas State

THE STORYLINE –
No. 14-seed ULM (7-22, 3-15 SBC) will face No. 11-seed Arkansas State (11-18, 6-12 SBC) in the first round of the 2023 Sun Belt Conference Women's Basketball Championship on Tuesday, Feb. 28 at 2 p.m. CT in Pensacola, Florida. The Warhawks and Red Wolves split the regular-season series, with each team winning on their home floor. ULM opened Sun Belt play with an 81-66 victory over A-State in Fant-Ewing Coliseum on Dec. 29 while the Red Wolves posted a 98-73 win over the Warhawks in Jonesboro on Feb. 22 to start the final week of the regular season. Center Emma Merriweather, who leads ULM in scoring (10.1 ppg.), rebounding (10.6 rpg.), blocked shots (school single-season record 91) and field-goal percentage (.543), has been named Sun Belt Defensive Player of the Year as well as All-Sun Belt Third Team.

THE TIPOFF –
• Tuesday's game marks the 52nd meeting between ULM and Arkansas State. The Red Wolves lead the all-time series, 34-17, including 2-0 record in Sun Belt Tournament games. A-State has won nine of the last 11 meetings overall.

The Warhawks and Red Wolves split the regular-season series, with each team winning on their home floor. ULM opened Sun Belt play with an 81-66 victory over A-State in Fant-Ewing Coliseum on Dec. 29, 2022, while the Red Wolves posted a 98-73 win over the Warhawks in Jonesboro on Feb. 22 to start the final week of the regular season.

• ULM makes its 13th appearance in Sun Belt Conference Championship history. The Warhawks are 3-12 all-time (.200) in the league's postseason tournament, including 0-2 record against Arkansas State (L, 69-56 at Arkansas State on Feb. 28, 2007; L, 78-69 at Lakefront Arena in New Orleans, La., on March 12, 2014). ULM has dropped its last six Sun Belt Tournament games, with the Warhawks' last postseason conference win coming against Florida Atlantic, 70-63, on March 8, 2013, in Hot Springs, Ark.

• Graduate center Emma Merriweather, who leads ULM in scoring (10.1 points per game), rebounding (10.6 rpg.), blocked shots (school single-season record 91) and field-goal percentage (.543; 107-of-197), has been named Sun Belt Conference Defensive Player of the Year as well as All-Sun Belt Third Team, as selected by the league's women's head basketball coaches.

On a minutes-played basis, those statistics are equivalent to 17.2 points, 18.2 rebounds and 5.6 blocked shots per game. She has scored in double figures 14 times and collected double-digit rebounds in 17 games this season. Her 12 double-doubles lead the Sun Belt Conference. Merriweather averaged 10.8 points, 12.2 rebounds and 4.1 blocked shots in league games, including 10 double-doubles.

The 6-foot-5 Merriweather leads the Sun Belt in three different statistical categories: rebounding (10.6 rpg.), offensive rebounding (3.9 pg.) and blocked shots (3.3 pg.). She also ranks third in field-goal percentage at .543. In addition, Merriweather is listed among the NCAA Division I leaders in blocked shots (third), overall rebounding (15th), offensive rebounding (17th) and double-doubles (33rd). She has produced multiple blocked shots in 20 of 28 games this season, including five or more blocks in seven contests.

She has been a model of consistency, grabbing double-figure rebounds in 13 of her last 16 games while averaging 13.1 per game during that span. Merriweather has posted some impressive totals down the stretch, averaging 13.6 points, 15.0 rebounds and 5.2 blocks over the last five games.

She closed out the Sun Belt regular season with her 12th double-double, finishing with 24 points, 14 rebounds (six offensive boards). Merriweather hit 10-of-17 field-goal attempts against the Mountaineers and added three blocked shots.

Merriweather tallied eight points, 12 rebounds (four offensive boards) and four blocks in ULM's 84-82 overtime loss to Southern Miss in the home finale. She had a record-breaking performance against Louisiana Lafayette last Thursday, finishing with nine points, a Fant-Ewing Coliseum-record 23 rebounds and a ULM single-game record-tying 10 blocked shots (10 by Stephanie Ratliff vs. LSU Alexandria, Nov. 22, 2016). With her 10 rejections, Merriweather set the ULM single-season record with 82 blocks, breaking the mark previously held by Cassandra Barker (1992-93). Her 23 boards broke the previous Coliseum single-game record of 21 shared by three players (Niela Gray vs. Nicholls, Feb. 3, 1996; Jab Johnson vs. Georgia, Dec. 10, 1988; and Renee Woodfin vs Alcorn, Nov. 29, 1986). Merriweather's 10 blocked shots (tied for second) and 23 rebounds (tied for ninth) rank among the top NCAA Division I single-game totals recorded in 2022-23. She also fell one point shy of becoming the first player in school history to produce a triple-double.

Merriweather made 8-of-11 field-goal attempts against Troy en route to another double-double, with 17 points and 20 rebounds. She also matched her career high with seven blocked shots against the Trojans.

At Texas State, Merriweather was limited to six points but collected a game-high 14 rebounds, with six coming off the offensive glass. She posted seven points, 11 rebounds (four offensive boards) and four blocks at Louisiana Lafayette.

Merriweather recorded her fourth consecutive double-double and ninth of the season in ULM's 69-65 win over South Alabama, finishing with a game-high 15 rebounds (five offensive boards). She hit 6-of-11 field-goal attempts to go along with her six blocked shots.

A transfer from Kansas, Merriweather posted 12 points, a game-high 15 rebounds (five offensive boards) and blocked five shots in a 61-59 loss to Marshall.

She scored 13 points and collected a career-best 19 rebounds, including six off the offensive boards, against Georgia Southern. Merriweather also blocked five shots by the Eagles.

She finished with 11 points, 11 rebounds and a career-high seven blocked shots against Texas State. Merriweather made 6-of-11 shots from the floor and posted a game-high 16 points to go along with seven rebounds (four offensive boards) and three blocked shots at Southern Miss. She contributed 16 points (6-of-9 FG shooting), 15 rebounds and five blocked shots at Troy.

Merriweather, who produced back-to-back double-doubles as the Warhawks earned a road split against Old Dominion and Coastal Carolina, was named Sun Belt Conference Player of the Week, as selected by the league's head coaches and communications directors.

She tallied 10 points and 11 rebounds in ULM's 73-71 victory at Coastal Carolina, as the Warhawks ended a 22-game road losing skid (tied with Bellarmine for the nation's second-longest streak), including 19 straight in conference play. It marked ULM's first Sun Belt road win since defeating Texas State, 58-55, on Jan. 16, 2020. Merriweather also blocked four shots and set a career high with four steals against the Chanticleers.

A native of Buena Park, California, Merriweather scored a game-high 16 points (7-of-10 FG shooting) and grabbed 14 rebounds (five offensive boards) at ODU.

She scored a career-high 30 points and collected 15 rebounds against Champion Christian and contributed 13 points and 10 boards against Central Arkansas.

• ULM's playing rotation features six players who are averaging better than 6.0 points per game, including graduate center Emma Merriweather (10.1 ppg.), sophomore guard Bre Sutton (8.8 ppg.), sophomore forward Katlyn Manuel (8.3 ppg.), freshman guard/forward Myca Trail (7.3 ppg.), red-shirt senior guard/forward Kierra Brimzy (6.6 ppg.) and sophomore guard Olivia Knight (6.3 ppg., team-leading 36 3-pointers). Eight different Warhawks have led the team in scoring this season.

• Second-year sophomore guard Bre Sutton has scored in double figures in seven of her last nine games, averaging 12.3 points, 4.1 rebounds and 5.1 assists during that stretch. The 5-foot-9 Sutton has reached double figures in scoring 12 times. She has paced ULM in scoring in five of the last nine games, including a career-high 19 points at Arkansas State while hitting 6-of-13 field-goal attempts and all seven of his free-throw attempts. Sutton posted 14 points and seven assists in the overtime loss to Southern Miss in the home finale and scored a team-high 15 points at South Alabama to go along with nine rebounds, three assists and four steals.

The New Orleans native netted 13 points at Texas State and a team-high 12 at Louisiana Lafayette. Sutton played a solid all-around game in ULM's 69-65 victory over South Alabama, finishing with 15 points, five rebounds, seven assists and two steals. She recorded her first career double-double at Coastal Carolina, with 16 points and a career-best 13 rebounds.

• As a team, ULM leads the Sun Belt Conference and ranks No. 11 in NCAA Division I in blocked shots, averaging 5.2 per game. The Warhawks also rank fourth in the league and No. 43 in NCAA Division I in offensive rebounds, averaging 13.8 per game. In addition, the Warhawks are listed among the league leaders in three additional statistical categories: sixth in offensive rebounding percentage (.338), sixth in assists (13.1 pg.), and seventh in rebound margin (+1.3 pg).

INSIDE THE NUMBERS –
500 – Four ULM players have scored more than 500 career points, including sixth-year senior center Diamond Brooks (630), graduate center Emma Merriweather (607), fourth-year junior guard Gara Beth Self (606) and sixth-year senior guard/forward Kierra Brimzy (567).

140 – Super senior Diamond Brooks has appeared in more games (139) than other player in ULM history. Brooks is one of only six players who have played in at least 120 career games, joining Jasmine Shaw (123 games from 2010-14), Alexar Tugler (122, 2010-14), Elizabeth Torres (121, 2008-12), Larrie Williams (120, 2008-12) and Alayshia Hunters (120, 2012-16).

91 – Graduate center Emma Merriweather leads the Sun Belt Conference and ranks third in the NCAA Division I in blocked shots with 91. Merriweather tied the ULM single-game record with 10 blocks against the Ragin' Cajuns while becoming the Warhawks single-season record-holder with 82, breaking the mark previously held by Cassandra Barker (1992-93). She has produced multiple blocked shots in 20 of 28 games this season, including five or more blocks in seven contests.

21.67 – ULM is generating 21.67 percent (408 of 1,883 points) of its offense from the free-throw line – the second-highest percentage of any Sun Belt Conference team. Only four other league teams are creating at least 20 percent of their points from the charity stripe: 21.74 by Georgia State, 21.30 by Coastal Carolina, 21.26 by Louisiana Lafayette and 20.90 by James Madison. ULM has outscored 16 of its opponents from the free-throw line (6-10 record). The Warhawks rank among the NCAA Division I leaders in free-throw attempts: No. 22 at 21.41 per game. That total is good for third in the Sun Belt, trailing only Troy (23.62 FTA pg.) and Georgia Southern (22.37 FTA pg.).

11.8 – Freshman Myca Trail has scored in double figures in five of her last six games, averaging 11.8 points during the stretch. Trail posted 12 points each at App State (6-of-9 FG shooting) and at Arkansas State. She netted 13 points while playing a season-best 38 minutes in the overtime loss to Southern Miss. Trail hit 6-of-12 field-goal attempts and matched her season high with a team-leading 16 points against the Ragin' Cajuns. She came off the bench to contribute 11 points at South Alabama.

2022-23 WARHAWK STAT LEADERS –
Double-figure scoring games (78): Katlyn Manuel 14, Emma Merriweather 14, Bre Sutton 12, Kierra Brimzy 10, Myca Trail 10, Olivia Knight 6, Aasia Sam 5, Amaya Ford 3, Gara Beth Self 2, Sarah Adams 1, Amani Brown 1. Opponents: 89.

20-point games (3): Emma Merriweather 2, Amani Brown 1. Opponents: 9.

30-point games (1): Emma Merriweather 1. Opponents: 0.

Double-figure rebounding games (22): Emma Merriweather 17, Katlyn Manuel 2, Kierra Brimzy 1, Amaya Ford 1, Bre Sutton 1. Opponents: 14.

Double-doubles (16): Emma Merriweather 12, Katlyn Manuel 2, Kierra Brimzy 1, Bre Sutton 1. Opponents: 13.

Games leading ULM in scoring: Emma Merriweather 8, Katlyn Manuel 6, Bre Sutton 6, Kierra Brimzy 4, Myca Trail 3, Sarah Adams 1, Amaya Ford 1, Olivia Knight 1.

Games leading ULM in rebounding: Emma Merriweather 19, Bre Sutton 6, Katlyn Manuel 5, Amaya Ford 3, Kierra Brimzy 1, Sha'Miya Butler 1, Myca Trail 1.

Games leading ULM in assists: Bre Sutton 19, Olivia Knight 8, Qua Chambers 2, Aasia Sam 2, Amani Brown 1, Amaya Ford 1, Katlyn Manuel 1, Myca Trail 1.

DIAMOND BROOKS NAMED TO WBCA 'SO YOU WANT TO BE A COACH CLASS –
ULM super senior Diamond Brooks has been selected for the 62-member class for the 20th "So You Want To Be A Coach" program, as announced by the Women's Basketball Coaches Association in partnership with WeCOACH. Each student-athlete will participate in the two-day workshop, scheduled for March 30-31, during the 2023 WBCA Convention in Dallas.

The "So" program increases the understanding and application of skills necessary to secure coaching positions in women's basketball, increases the understanding and awareness of competencies necessary for success in coaching, introduces female basketball players to coaches and administrators, and raises awareness of the existing talent pool of female basketball players who have a passion and interest in coaching the game of women's basketball.

Brooks, a native of Kentwood, Louisiana, has appeared in more games (140) than any other player in ULM history. She is one of only six players who have played in at least 120 career games for the Warhawks. The 6-foot-2 Brooks also ranks as ULM's active career leaders in scoring (630 points). She received her bachelor's degree in kinesiology in December 2020 and followed with a master's degree in kinesiology in May 2022. Brooks is currently pursuing a second master's degree, in psychology.

"I'm thrilled for Diamond to have an opportunity to be a part of the 'So' program," ULM head coach Brooks Donald Williams said. "It is an exclusive program to help potential young coaches connect and learn from some of the best in the game. What an incredible opportunity for Diamond and her future as well as our program."

"So" participants will learn about the administrative side of coaching, recruiting, how to get hired, skill development, the importance of knowing the rules, and how to balance work and life.

2022-23 ULM STARTING LINEUPS –
Nov. 7 vs. Louisiana Christian: Knight, Brown, Brimzy, Sam, Manuel
Nov. 13 vs. Louisiana Tech: Knight, Brown, Brimzy, Sam, Manuel
Nov. 15 vs. Centenary: Knight, Self, Brimzy, Sam, Manuel
Nov. 19 vs. Central Arkansas: Knight, Self, Brimzy, Manuel, Merriweather
Nov. 22 at UCF: Knight, Trail, Sam, Manuel, Merriweather
Nov. 29 at Mississippi State: Knight, Trail, Sam, Manuel, Merriweather
Dec. 3 vs. Champion Christian: Knight, Sam, Ford, Manuel, Merriweather
Dec. 10 at Northwestern State: Knight, Brown, Sam, Manuel, Merriweather
Dec. 14 at McNeese: Sutton, Knight, Sam, Brimzy, Manuel
Dec. 17 vs. Tennessee Tech: Sutton, Knight, Sam, Brimzy, Manuel
Dec. 19 vs. Alcorn: Sutton, Knight, Sam, Brimzy, Manuel
Dec. 29 vs. Arkansas State: Sutton, Knight, Sam, Brimzy, Manuel
Dec. 31 vs. Georgia State: Sutton, Knight, Sam, Brimzy, Manuel
Jan. 5 at Old Dominion: Sutton, Knight, Sam, Brimzy, Manuel
Jan. 7 at Coastal Carolina: Sutton, Knight, Sam, Brimzy, Merriweather
Jan. 12 at Troy: Sutton, Knight, Sam, Brimzy, Merriweather
Jan. 14 at Southern Miss: Sutton, Knight, Sam, Brimzy, Merriweather
Jan. 19 vs. Texas State: Sutton, Knight, Sam, Manuel, Merriweather
Jan. 21 vs. Georgia Southern: Sutton, Knight, Trail, Manuel, Merriweather
Jan. 26 vs. Marshall: Sutton, Knight, Trail, Manuel, Merriweather
Jan. 28 vs. South Alabama: Sutton, Knight, Trail, Manuel, Merriweather
Feb. 2 at Ragin' Cajuns: Sutton, Knight, Trail, Manuel, Merriweather
Feb. 4 at Texas State: Sutton, Knight, Self, Manuel, Merriweather
Feb. 9 at South Alabama: Sutton, Knight, Sam, Manuel, Merriweather
Feb. 11 vs. Troy: Sutton, Knight, Trail, Manuel, Merriweather
Feb. 16 vs. Ragin' Cajuns: Sutton, Knight, Trail, Manuel, Merriweather
Feb. 18 vs. Southern Miss: Sutton, Sam, Trail, Manuel, Merriweather
Feb. 22 at Arkansas State: Sutton, Sam, Trail, Brimzy, Merriweather
Feb. 24 at App State: Sutton, Sam, Trail, Ford, Merriweather

Different Starting Combinations (14):
Games (Record)
Knight, Brown, Brimzy, Sam, Manuel: 2 (1-1)
Knight, Self, Brimzy, Sam, Manuel: 1 (1-0)
Knight, Self, Brimzy, Manuel, Merriweather: 1 (0-1)
Knight, Trail, Sam, Manuel, Merriweather: 2 (0-2)
Knight, Sam, Ford, Manuel, Merriweather: 1 (1-0)
Knight, Brown, Sam, Manuel, Merriweather: 1 (0-1)
Sutton, Knight, Sam, Brimzy, Manuel: 6 (2-4)
Sutton, Knight, Sam, Brimzy, Merriweather: 3 (1-2)
Sutton, Knight, Sam, Manuel, Merriweather: 2 (0-2)
Sutton, Knight, Trail, Manuel, Merriweather: 6 (1-5)
Sutton, Knight, Self, Manuel, Merriweather: 1 (0-1)
Sutton, Sam, Trail, Manuel, Merriweather: 1 (0-1)
Sutton, Sam, Trail, Brimzy, Merriweather: 1 (0-1)
Sutton, Sam, Trail, Ford, Merriweather: 1 (0-1)

2022-23 WARHAWK STATISTICAL TRENDS –
Games played in Fant-Ewing Coliseum: 6-10
Games played on the road: 1-12
Games played at a neutral site: 0-0

Games played in November: 2-4
Games played in December: 3-4
Games played in January: 2-6
Games played in February: 0-8
Games played in March: 0-0

When leading after the first quarter: 6-6
When trailing after the first quarter: 1-14
When tied after the first quarter: 0-2

When leading at halftime: 6-3
When trailing at halftime: 1-17
When tied at halftime: 0-2

When leading after the third quarter: 5-2
When trailing after the third quarter: 2-19
When tied after the third quarter: 0-1

When shooting .500 or better from the field: 2-0
When shooting less than .500 from the field: 5-22
When opponent shoots .500 or better from the field: 0-2
When opponent shoots less than .500 from the floor: 7-20

When outrebounding opponent: 5-9
When outrebounded by opponent: 2-12
When rebounding totals are equal: 0-1

When hitting more free throws than opponent: 6-10
When hitting fewer free throws than opponent: 1-11
When hitting the same number of free throws as opponent: 0-1

When committing fewer turnovers than opponent: 4-3
When opponent commits fewer turnovers: 2-18
When turnover totals are equal: 1-1

When ULM scores less than 50 points: 0-4
When ULM scores 50-59 points: 0-10
When ULM scores 60-69 points: 2-3
When ULM scores 70-79 points: 1-3
When ULM scores 80-89 points: 3-2
When ULM scores 90-99 points: 0-0
When ULM scores 100+ points: 1-0

When opponent scores less than 50 points: 1-0
When opponent scores 50-59 points: 2-2
When opponent scores 60-69 points: 3-6
When opponent scores 70-79 points: 1-7
When opponent scores 80-89 points: 0-3
When opponent scores 90-99 points: 0-3
When opponent scores 100+ points: 0-1

Games decided by five points or less: 3-2
Games decided by 6-10 points: 0-6
Games decided by 11-19 points: 1-7
Games decided by 20 points or more: 3-7

Last five games: 0-5
Last 10 games: 1-9

Largest deficit overcome to win: 15 (32-17 vs. South Alabama, Jan. 28)
Largest lead surrendered in a loss: 21 (52-31 and 57-36 vs. Southern Miss, Feb. 18)

Emma Merriweather scored eight points and grabbed 12 rebounds in ULM's 84-82 overtime loss to Southern Miss in the 2022-23 home finale.

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