MONROE, La. – The ULM women's basketball team will be opening the season at Fant-Ewing Coliseum on Monday, taking on Central Baptist College. This is the first time the Warhawks are opening the season in Monroe in the Bilderback era. The last time ULM's season opener was at home, they faced Louisiana Christian on Nov. 7, 2022, where the Warhawks claimed an 88-58 win. Single-game tickets for Monday's game and other home games in November are on sale now.
SERIES HISTORY –
The Warhawks and the Mustangs have never competed against one another, beginning their series on Monday evening.
SCOUTING THE MUSTANGS –
The Central Baptist Mustangs have already started their season, opening up at Blue Mountain Christian on Oct. 29, where they fell, 70-50. The Mustangs were able to bounce back against Champion Christian on Saturday, 79-63. Central Baptist was selected to finish 10th in the American Midwest Conference in the preseason poll. Under former Mustang and first year head coach Kory Heffentrager and with the return of Honorable Mention All-Conference guard Rhys Anderson, Central Baptist is looking to turn the program around. Last season, Central Baptist finished 7-18 on the season.
TALES OF THE TAPE –
Through the first two games of the Mustangs' season, Central Baptist averages 64.5 points, 40.5 rebounds, 13.5 assists and 5 steals per game. Guard Raigan Head averaged 23 points per game, leading the team at Champion Christian with 32 points and 20 rebounds. In comparison, ULM averaged 74.2 points, 39.1 rebounds, 14.2 assists and 8.2 steals per game in the 2023-24 season.
JK OF ALL TRADES–
Jakayla Johnson returns after a record-breaking year in 2023-24. The senior guard averaged 15.6 points, 4.7 rebounds and 2.7 assists per game last season, scoring 30+ points four times. Johnson also made 159 free throws in the season, second-most in program history. In the Sun Belt Conference Tournament against Georgia Southern, the Auburn transfer shot a season-high 10-of-13, including five three-pointers. At the conclusion of the season, Johnson was named to All-Sun Belt Third Team and LWSA All-Louisiana Third Team.
FOURTH-PLACE PICK –
The Warhawks started the preseason strong, being selected fourth in the Sun Belt preseason coaches poll, receiving 150 votes. This is the highest ULM women's basketball has been ranked in the SBC preseason poll since joining the conference in 2006.
BUILDING THE PROGRAM WITH BILDERBACK –
Head Coach Missy Bilderback led the 2023-24 Warhawks to a 21-14 record, the most wins for the program in 16 years, in her first season as head coach. They also held the longest conference win streak in over 19 years. ULM finished the season by competing in the WNIT, going on the longest postseason run since 1985, making it to the Great 8 before falling to conference foe Troy.
PRESEASON HONORS –
Jakayla Johnson was named All-Sun Belt First Team after receiving multiple honors at the conclusion of last season. She was the second leading scorer on the Warhawks, averaging 15.2 points/game. She reached the 30-point mark in two games last season as well. This is ULM's first player to be named to the All-Sun Belt First Team since 2006, when the Warhawks joined the conference. Katlyn Manuel, the conference's reigning Sixth Woman of the Year, was named All-Sun Belt Third Team to open the 2024-25 season. In her third year with the Warhawks, Manuel averaged 10.2 points/game, racking up three double-doubles. She also led the team with 30 blocks on the season, averaging 1.0 per game.
NEW ON THE BAYOU –
The Warhawks are bringing in seven newcomers to add to the team, including two Power 4 transfers. Senior guard Nya Valentine arrives to ULM after a season at Clemson. Valentine averaged 2.8 points per game, shooting 34% from behind the arc. Sakiya White arrives on the bayou after a season at Florida State, where she averaged 2.5 points and 3.5 rebounds per game. Other new faces on the team include Mississippi State transfer Meloney Thames, Southern Miss transfers Brikayla Gray and Asjha Leake, Mercer transfer Cianté Downs and Jackson State transfer Laila Walker. The lone sophomore on the team comes in the form of Miriam Prince, who transfers in from East Central CC.
LOOKING AHEAD –
ULM remains home for the week, taking on Louisiana Christian on Nov. 11 at 11:30 a.m. for ULM's annual Education Day.
FOLLOW THE WARHAWKS -
Monday's game will be available to stream on ESPN+. Links to live stats for all games, when available, can be found at ULMWarhawks.com. Navigate to the women's basketball schedule page and select that day's opponent.
