MONROE, La. – The ULM women's basketball team (5-8, 1-1 SBC) will remain at home for the second in a four-game homestand. The Warhawks will face the Old Dominion Monarchs (10-4, 2-0 SBC) at 2 p.m. on Saturday (Jan. 4) in Fant-Ewing Coliseum. The Warhawks are looking to snap the Monarchs' undefeated Sun Belt streak.
SERIES HISTORY –
The Warhawks and the Monarchs will be competing for the fourth time in the series, the first at Fant-Ewing Coliseum. ULM is looking for its first win over Old Dominion in the series spanning 40 years. The first matchup between ULM and Old Dominion was in Austin, Texas for the 1985 NCAA Final Four, where the Monarchs went on to win a national championship. After one game during the regular season in 2023, the Warhawks faced the Monarchs last season in the second round of the Sun Belt Tournament, falling 64-67.
FINAL FOUR FOES –
Before ULM was taking on Old Dominion in conference competition, the two teams faced each other for the first time in the NCAA Final Four 40 years ago. On March 29, 1985, Old Dominion defeated the Warhawks in Austin, Texas to compete in the NCAA Championship, winning their first women's basketball national title that year.
SCOUTING THE MONARCHS –
The Monarchs are looking to continue a four-game win streak, opening Sun Belt play with wins over South Alabama and at Southern Miss. The team also marked notable wins over William & Mary, SMU and VCU. En'Dya Buford leads the team in points per game (12.2), eleventh in the Sun Belt in scoring and fourth in steals per game (2.4). Simaru Fieldsleads the team with 21 three-pointers, averaging 9.8 points per game. The Monarchs are looking to uphold preseason expectations, as they were selected to finish third in the preseason coaches poll after a 22-10 record last season, making it to the semifinals of the Sun Belt Championships before falling to Marshall. Buford and junior Kelsey Thompson were named to the Preseason All-Sun Belt Second and Third teams, respectively.
BIRTHDAY CELEBRATION –
Meloney Thames turned 22 on Jan. 2, celebrating with a career-high game versus Georgia Southern. Thames led the team with 22 points, shooting 5-9 from three. No players on the team have posted five three-pointers since last season. She also tallied two assists, two blocks and a steal in her 34-minute showing.
LEADING THE TEAM –
Jakayla Johnson tallied 16 points, 12 rebounds and five assists versus Georgia Southern on Jan. 2. She leads the team in points per game (14.5), field goals made (69) and steals (24). Johnson is also third in the Sun Belt in points per game. Sakyia White opened the season going 9-9 vs. Central Baptist (Nov. 4), dropping 18 points. She then followed up with a 16-rebound performance vs. Tulane (Dec. 21), leading the team in rebounds per game (7.5).
DOUBLE DOUBLE–
Laila Walker logged the team's first double-double of the season against Louisiana Christian (Nov. 11), posting 10 points and 11 rebounds. The achievement was also Walker's first career double-double. Sakyia White and Katlyn Manuel followed closely behind, credited with the team's second and third double-doubles of the season. The most recent double-double achieved by a Warhawk was Jakayla Johnson, who recorded 16 points and 12 rebounds versus Georgia Southern (Jan. 2).
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 per 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.
FOLLOW THE WARHAWKS –
Saturday's game will be available on KMLB 105.7 FM/540 AM with Adam Holland on the call. Streaming will be available for games on ESPN+ with Sean Fox and Mike Vining. 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.
LOOKING AHEAD –
The women's basketball team will remain at home to continue a four-game Sun Belt homestand. ULM will host Southern Miss in Monroe on Jan. 9. The Warhawks and the Golden Eagles will tip off at 6:30 p.m. CT in Fant-Ewing Coliseum.
