The Tribune

By RENALDO DORSETT

Tribune Sports Reporter

rdorsett@tribunemedia.net

“MARCH On, Bahamaland” blared through the speakers to celebrate the Bahamian connection at the University of Louisiana Monroe-Warhawks men’s basketball programme on senior night.

The Warhawks played the Bahamian national anthem prior to Saturday’s game against the Coastal Carolina Chanticleers to honour senior players Travis Munnings, Calvin Anderson and graduate assistant coach Prince Cooper.

ULM ultimately fell to the Chanticleers 97-91 in the final home game for Munnings and Anderson at Fant-Ewing Colesium in Monroe, Louisiana.

Each player received an action photo, framed jersey and L Club plaque.

Munnings also received a basketball commemorating membership in the 1,000-point/800-rebound career club.

Munnings had a hot shooting day from the field with 23 points on 9-12 shooting from the field, including 5-7 from three-point range.

“We gave them too many easy buckets,” Munnings said. “We have to make them work harder. We’ve got to get locked in on our defence.”

Munnings scored 14 of ULM’s first 25 points and made four of his first six three pointers.

ULM fell to 15-13, 8-8 in the Sun Belt Conference with just their second loss at home this season.

Munnings’ four-year tenure as a mainstay of the Warhawks programme was outlined by ULMWarhawks.com.

“It means a lot to me,” Munnings said of his time with the programme. “From day one, my team opened their hands up to me and showed me the love. It’s been like that all along. For me to come here was a blessing.”

In January, Munnings became just the fourth player in school history to reach 1,000 career points and 800 rebounds. He joined Calvin Natt, Henry Steele and Bill Snellings in the Warhawks’ exclusive club.

“I was truly blessed to be on that platform with other great players that came through ULM,” Munnings said. “It’s an honour for me. I’m thankful to achieve that and I give all the honour and glory to God. Without him, it wouldn’t be possible. There are always good times and bad times. We just have to always come back and find the good in it no matter what. Enjoy the moment, every moment that you have. That’s pretty cool for me.”

Munnings has scored in double figures in 83 career games and has 16 career double-doubles.

Warhawks head coach Keith Richard has always heralded Munnings’ contributions to the programme.

“The minutes, he’s played, the production,” Richard said. “The points and rebounds. And he’s been a model person off the court. He’s been no maintenance at all and he’s graduating this spring. He’s been an excellent student and a fan favourite. He’s personable to our people. You’ve got to have some of those guys in your tenure. That’s how I see Travis.”

This season, Munnings has averaged 14 points, 7.5 rebounds and 2.4 assists per game on 44 per cent shooting from the field and 36 per cent from three-point range.

After testing the market last spring and facing evaluation from scouts and coaches, Munnings withdrew from the NBA Draft and decided to return to the Warhawks for a senior season.

As a junior, he averaged 15.9 points, 7.3 rebounds and 2.4 assists per game. He was previously honoured as Second-team All-Sun Belt Conference selection and won Sun Belt Player of the Week on several occasions.

As a freshman, he averaged 7.2 points and 5.4 rebounds and increased those numbers to 13.2 points and 8.1 rebounds per game as a sophomore.

Anderson played sparingly for the Warhawks after he transferred from the Navarro College Running Bulldogs at the JuCo level.