The University of Louisiana Monroe gets another shot at Arkansas State tonight in the first round of the Sun Belt Tournament in New Orleans . The Warhawks finished the regular season by losing to the Red Wolves 83-79. ULM Coach Keith Richard says they trailed by 18 points at half and their second half rally came up short.
Richard says that he "brought the second half team to New Orleans and left the first half team at home."
ULM features the Sun Belt Freshman of the Year. Michael Ertel from Indianapolis is averaging 12 points a game and he’s shooting 37-percent from three point territory. Richard says Ertel was a major factor in their success during the second half of the Sun Belt schedule.
Richard says that Erlel "got better in playing off the dribble." This contributed to his success this season.
ULM is led in scoring by Travis Munnings and Sam McDaniel. Each is averaging 16 points a game. Richard says these two need to play well in order for the Warhawks to make some noise.
According to Richard, key players must contribute, and both teams need to be at their best to win the tournament.