MONROE, La. – The ULM men's basketball team (1-2) hits the road once more, taking on HCU (1-1) in Houston on Thursday (Nov. 13). Tip-off is scheduled for 7 p.m.

SCOUTING THE HUSKIES –

The Huskies currently post a 1-1 record, most recently falling at UC-San Diego, 78-60. HCU did capture a 74-70 victory to open the season against Southern Arkansas. Utah Valley transfer Kylin Green leads the Huskies, averaging 13 points and 4.5 rebounds per game. The team is on the hunt for success under second-year head coach Craig Doty, doubling their win total from 2023-24 to last season. 

SERIES HISTORY – 

The Huskies and the Warhawks are playing for the 28th time in program history, last playing at Fant-Ewing Coliseum in 2024. The series dates back to 1970, the majority of their history occurring in the 70's and 80's. The matchup returned last season after a 40-year hiatus. ULM will be traveling to HCU for the first time since 1983, looking to break a three-game win streak for the Huskies that also dates back to 1983. The Warhawks hold an 18-9 advantage in the 27-game series.

FROM BEYOND THE ARC –

The Warhawks are currently shooting 35.1% from three, already hitting 26 triples across three games. The 26 three-pointers ranks fourth in the Sun Belt, with Krystian Lewis nailing five to lead the team. Nine other ULM players have contributed from beyond the arc, Renars Sondors hitting a career-high three triples at Ole Miss (Nov. 7). 

LEADING THE TEAM –

Krystian Lewis leads the pack in most categories, averaging 15.3 points, 4.7 assists and 2.0 steals. Lewis posted 22 points in his ULM debut, following things up with a 17-point game against Ole Miss. Alex Huguet Carrasco has collected 12 rebounds across three games, averaging 4.0 to lead the Warhawks. Freshman Przemek Hartman averages 1.3 blocks per game, collecting two in the season opener. 

AT THE HELM – 

Head coach Phil Cunningham gets started in his first year at the helm for ULM, capturing his first win as head coach against Rust College on November 10. He joins the ranks of seven other head coaches to capture their first win at the head of the ULM men's basketball program. Cunningham brings six years of Sun Belt head coaching experience, spending 2013-19 at Troy with an 80-111 record. He spent the 2024-25 season at ULM as an assistant coach, claiming the head coaching gig after former head coach Keith Richard's retirement. 

LAST TIME OUT –

MONROE, La. – The ULM men's basketball team captured a win in its home opener against Rust College in Fant-Ewing Coliseum on Monday night. 

The Warhawks opened strong on the offense, MJ Russell finding the basket for a dunk to open the scoring. Russell continued to find opportunities in the first half, hitting two triples and collecting four rebounds. While Rust fought to stay in the game, freshman Przemek Hartman drilled a three-pointer to extend the lead to four with 15 minutes left in the half. 

Rust did not go away easily in the first 20 minutes, however, collecting five steals to keep it within 10. But after Dylan Diaz was able to capture the steal and score, ULM picked up the momentum. The Warhawks went on a 9-0 scoring run, forcing four turnovers for the Bearcats to find the dou-ble-digit advantage. Alex Huguet Carrasco also got into the action in the first half, driving for a layup, then capturing a steal to claim two more points. Krystian Lewis then hit ULM's fourth triple of the night with 5:04 remaining in the half, as the Warhawks netted four of their next four field goals. 

Renars Sondors got the scoring going in the second half, leading the team in points and three-pointers. In the first few minutes, the Warhawk defense continued to force turnovers and collect steals, allowing two points in the opening three minutes of the second half. As the game continued, ULM continued to defend, Rust going 0-for-5 from the field. The Warhawks continued to find the basket, shooting 4-of-4 during Rust's scoring drought for the 17-point lead with 13:57 remaining. 

With the ULM energy bursting, the freshmen got in on the action, Molofeev finding Hartman for an alley-oop dunk and extending the lead to 24. Over the following ninety seconds, the Warhawks went on a 6-0 scoring run to reach the cusp of a 30-point advantage. Ajay Tew closed out the contest with six points, reaching a career high and collected a three-point play on his resumé. Rust College, on the other hand, concluded the half going 1-for-13 from the field, as the Warhawks ran to an 88-55 victory.

FOLLOW THE WARHAWKS –

Thursday's game will be available on KLIP 105.3 with Mike Hammett on the call. Streaming will be available for games on ESPN+. Links to live stats for all games, when available, can be found at ULMWarhawks.com. Navigate to the men's basketball schedule page and select that day's opponent.

NEXT UP –

The Warhawks return to Monroe on Monday (Nov. 17) to face the Lamar Cardinals in Fant-Ewing Coliseum. Tip-off is slated for 6:30 p.m.