SPORTS SECTION E
Picks
Week 15 , Page 3
THURSDAY, DECEMBER 13, 2018
Munnings and Warhawks back in the win column By RENALDO DORSETT Tribune Sports Reporter rdorsett@tribunemedia.net AFTER losses in four of their last five games, Travis Munnings and the Louisiana-Monroe Warhawks began their homestand back in the win column. Munnings scored 16 points, in just 26 foul-plagued minutes of the Warhawks’ 72-67 win over the Grambling State Tigers Tuesday night at Fant-Ewing Coliseum. The senior wing also grabbed four rebounds and dished two assists with four steals as ULM improved to 4-4 on the season.
ULM made six free throws down the stretch to seal the win and improve to 4-4 on the season. They held a 28-20 halftime advantage and opened the second half on a 12-4 run. They led by as much as 15 (51-36) at the 11:22 mark. “I’m really glad that we won, having a 10-day layoff there was some rust, particularly offensively. We’re a much better three-point shooting team than we showed tonight and we’re free throw shooting team that we showed,” said ULM head coach Keith Richard. “We made just enough plays which is what you’re supposed to do in close games. We haven’t had
TRAVIS MUNNINGS in action.
many close games so it was kind of good to have a close one to figure things out so this is going to be good for us down the stretch.” Through eight games, Munnings is averaging 13.6 points and 7.1 rebounds per game. It was the 13th meeting between ULM and Grambling State. The Warhawks now lead the all-time series 10-3, including an 8-1 record at home. ULM has won the last eight meetings, but four of those games have been decided by 10 points or less. Last season, Munnings posted 19 points and eight rebounds in last year’s win over Grambling. It was just the Warhawks’ second
home game of the season and their first since November 10. ULM’s 2018-19 schedule features eight games against opponents that appeared in the 2018 postseason, including four NCAA Tournament participants (Texas, Michigan State, Stephen F Austin and Georgia State) and two National Invitation Tournament participants (LSU and ULL). In total, ULM will play 10 games against opponents that won 20 or more games last season. Sun Belt head coaches have voted ULM to finish in a fourthplace tie with Troy (89 points each) in their preseason poll.
Canadian Lemieux: ‘I’m ready and I’m a beast’ By RENALDO DORSETT Tribune Sports Reporter rdorsett@tribunemedia.net
BOXER SAYS ‘RENO’ JOHNSON IS IN FOR A BIG SURPRISE’
ureano Johnson and David Lemieux had an opportunity to discuss predictions and strategy on their upcoming bout as fight week promotion is in full swing. Both fighters participated in public workouts yesterday at Chase Square, Madison Square Garden, ahead of Saturday’s bout. Johnson said he has accounted for Lemieux’s punching power and has implemented tactics to take advantage in the bout. “After being in boxing for so long, you do have to grow and you do have to adapt. Indeed David Lemieux is a ferocious puncher, a devastating puncher, so you know you definitely don’t want to get hit with any of those blows. I know what it is to get hit from big punchers and I don’t want to get hit again,” he said. “David Lemieux is like a shark in the sea and you got to have that respect and I definitely have that respect to know his power is devastating, but we have a little trick for that. We have a real good trick for that, it’s a treat for the fans and come Saturday it’s going to be an explosive night. I’m expecting him to bring his ‘A’ game because I’m definitely bringing mine.” This weekend’s bout marks Johnson’s return to the ring since an August 2017 loss to Serhiy Derevianchenko. “I have to give the almighty God thanks for all that he has done in my life,” he said. “I fight to make my country proud – the Bahamas, I fight to provide for
my family – my wife and daughter, and ultimately, I fight to win, not just to fight, to win. To fight David Lemieux on this stage in MSG, this is the third time I’m going to be here, but is an awesome experience. It’s not a crossroads for me, it’s just another major fight, another world title opportunity for me to go out there and prove to the world exactly what Tureano has to offer.” Final press conferences will be hosted today at 11am and the weigh-ins take place in MSG at noon on Friday. Johnson (20-2, 14 KOs) will face Lemieux (40-4, 34 KOs) in a 12-round middleweight bout presented by Golden Boy Promotions and Eye of the Tiger Management. Their co-main event will take place on the undercard of the Canelo Alvarez and Rocky Fielding bout for the World Boxing Association Super Middleweight title, broadcasted live on DAZN. Lemieux guaranteed a knockout win. “The round will depend on Johnson, but it’s going to happen,” he said. “Tureano Johnson is a great fighter, we respect his ability, but I had a great camp, I’m well prepared and I can’t wait to demonstrate what I have for you guys.” Lemieux views Johnson as a stepping stone to a bigger fight and and ultimately a title shot against Alvarez. “He’s going to be in for a big surprise. I’m not here to lose, I’m here to look spectacular. I’m here to make a big statement so I can get
T
BAHAMIAN boxer Tureano Johnson (above) and Canadian fighter David Lemieux (below) can be seen in training yesterday for their upcoming bout at Madison Square Garden on Saturday night. on with the fight I want. He’s a respectful opponent I guess, I didn’t get to know him too much but business is business,” he said. “When I’m in the ring I’m brutal and I’m devastating. I took one week break since my last fight. I’ve been in the gym, I’m ready and I’m a beast so wait until we see Saturday.” Both Johnson, 34, and Lemieux, 29, look to reclaim positions in the spotlight as contenders. Alvarez (50-1-2, 34 KOs) is coming off of a careerdefining win over IBF, IBO, WBA, WBC middleweight champion Gennady Golovkin (38-1-1, 34 KO) last September in Las Vegas, Nevada.
NOTES FINA SWIMMING CHAMPIONSHIPS THE Bahamas continued competition at the 14th FINA Short Course World Championships with three of the four team members in action. In the Women’s 100m Freestyle, Ariel Weech finished 52nd overall in the field with her time of 58.13 seconds. N’Nhyn Fernander finished 51st overall in the Men’s 100m Butterfly with his time of 56.25 and Kohen Kerr finished 54th overall in the 200m Freestyle with a time of 1:56.62. Victoria Russell will return for her second event on day three in the 50m Fly. Fernander will be the lone competitor on day four in the 50m Fly. The team concludes their meet on day five with Weech in the 50m Free and Kerr in the 100m Free. BAHAMAS BOWL YOUTH CLINIC ONE of the highly anticipated events of Makers Wanted Bahamas Bowl week is set for December 19 as the 5th annual Makers Wanted Bahamas Bowl Youth Football Clinic, sponsored by KFC, is set for 3:30 to 5pm at the rugby fields next to the old Thomas A Robinson Stadium (adjacent to the national stadium) in Nassau. The clinic is free and open to boys and girls ages 7-13, and it is held in cooperation between the Makers Wanted Bahamas Bowl and USA Football. A USA Football coach along with student-athletes and staff from the FIU and Toledo football teams, along with representatives of the Commonwealth American Football League will run the clinic, teaching football fundamentals and safety techniques. Last year’s clinic was a success as student-athletes gave back to the youth of the Bahamas, using football and fun to interact with participants involved in the event, showing what exercise and hard work can attain. Registration is from 2:30-3:30pm, and the clinic will follow 3:30-5pm. Each registered participant will receive a 2018 Makers Wanted Bahamas Bowl t-shirt and tickets to the 2018 game on Friday, December 21.