The ULM men's basketball team (4-20, 1-11 Sun Belt) will head back to Monroe for the MAC/SBC Challenge against Ball State (7-15, 3-7 MAC) on Saturday, Feb. 7 at 2 p.m. CT. The Warhawks look to break a seven-game losing streak at home after claiming a win on the road.

SERIES HISTORY – 

ULM will face the Cardinals for the fifth time in program history. Both teams are even with a 2-2 overall record, with ULM claiming victory in the last contest 102-93 in overtime in 1997 at Monroe. The Warhawks are also undefeated against Ball State in Monroe in two opportunities. The Cardinals last beat ULM in 1996 in a 64-81 contest in Munice, Ind.

SCOUTING THE CARDINALS –

Ball State faces its third straight contest on the road in Fant-Ewing Coliseum. It has dropped the first two game of the road slate, losing to Toledo 55-73 last Saturday and Bowling Green 52-77 Tuesday. The Cardinals currently stand at 3-7 in MAC play, good for tenth of out 13 teams in the conference. The team is led in scoring by Armoni Zeigler who averages 13.1 points per game who also leads in rebounds (5.0 rpg) and assists (2.7 apg). Davion Hill also averages double-digit figures with 12.3 ppg.

MAC/SBC CHALLENGE – 

The Warhawk men's basketball team's matchup with Ball State is a part of the third MAC-SBC Challenge, the matchups jointly announced by the Mid-American Conference and Sun Belt Conference on January 6. ULM traveled to face Northern Illinois in November to open the season, falling in a 102-82 contest.

LEADING THE TEAM –

Four Warhawks average over 10 points per game, with Krystian Lewis leading the pack with 17.0 ppg. He currently holds a streak of three 20+-point games from January 30 through February 4, most recently collecting 28 points at Old Dominion. He also leads the team in assists (3.1) and steals (1.6). MJ Russell (16.1), Lavell Brodnex (13.6) and Renars Sondors (10.8) also post double-digit scoring averages this season. 

BRODNEX BOARDS –

Lavell Brodnex has been leading the charge in rebounding since his debut for ULM on November 13, averaging 8.5 boards per game. With his double-digit scoring average, Brodnex has posted seven double-doubles so far this season, which is second in the Sun Belt. The forward reached a career-high 18 rebounds against Arkansas Baptist, the second-most recorded by a Sun Belt player this season.

COLLECTING MINUTES – 

MJ Russell and Krystian Lewis, ULM's scoring leaders, also lead the Sun Belt with the most playing time per game. Russell averages just under 36 minutes per game to lead the league and rank 21st in the NCAA. Lewis is closely behind at 35.5 minutes, placing him third in the conference.

FROM THE CHARITY STRIPE – 

The Warhawks have attempted double-digit free throws in 22 of their 24 contests, attempting a whopping 41 free throws against Arkansas Baptist on December 9, making 31. The 41 attempted free throws is the second-most attempted by a Sun Belt team this season. Against the Ragin' Cajuns on December 20, ULM hit 26 free throws. Krystian Lewis led the charge, hitting 15 of his 18 free throws. Lewis sits at second in the Sun Belt and is ranked 21st nationally with 132 free throws made.

FOLLOW THE WARHAWKS –

Saturday's game will be available on KLIP 105.3 with Mike Hammett on the call. Streaming will also be available for the game 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 continue conference play next Wednesday, February 11, in Jonesboro, with a contest against Arkansas State at 7 p.m.