Box Score NEW ORLEANS ? University of New Orleans head basketball coach Joe Pasternack knew Tulane was going to make a run. And when they did, his team responded.
The Privateers overcame an injury to one of their top players and made some key stops down the stretch as UNO defeated Tulane 74-67 on Saturday at Fogelman Arena.
Bo McCalebb scored a game-high 18 points, and Kyndall Dykes added 16 before leaving the game with an ankle injury, as the Privateers (3-0) got off to a 3-0 start for the first time since 2003.
McCalebb also tallied four steals to surpass Gabe Corchiani as the school's all-time swipes leader. The New Orleans native now has 182 career steals.
UNO, which has won six of the last eight meetings with Tulane (3-1), put four starters in double figures and went 16-of-19 from the free throw line. The Privateers also recorded a season-high 15 steals.
“These guys prepared awfully hard and they should considering it is a great local rivalry,” Pasternack said. “Everybody in the gym knew Tulane was going to fight back, and they did a great job. But we withstood it, and we got out of here with a good win.”
David Gomez led Tulane with 15 points, while Kevin Sims had 13.
The Privateers played a flawless first half, taking a 39-28 lead at the break. UNO forced 13 Green Wave turnovers and turned them into 11 points. The Privateers had 10 steals at the break, led by McCalebb's four and three from James Parlow.
UNO led by as many as 17 points with 13:35 to go before things started to unravel. The game, which was hampered by shot and game clock problems throughout, had a stoppage while the shot clock was shut off.
Tulane then got hot, going on a 19-2 spurt that saw the Green Wave tie it at 53-53 with 6:40 left. Tulane was never able to get the lead, though, and UNO took the lead for good when McCalebb hit a free throw with 5:43 to go.
UNO went 12-for-14 from the charity stripe during the final five minutes to ice it. UNO, though, did lose Dykes to an ankle injury suffered with 2:28 to play when he stepped awkwardly while attempting a layup.
He was taken to a local hospital immediately following the game.
The Privateers will make their home debut at 7 p.m. on Wednesday, hosting Lamar at the Human Performance Center. For tickets, please call 504-280-6100.
