BATON ROUGE, La. -- Southern senior forward Earnest Jones had 25 points and eight rebounds to lead the Jaguars to a 78-73 win over New Orleans on Saturday afternoon at F.G. Clark Center.
 
Brandon White had 12 points, and the Jaguars took advantage of 21 UNO turnovers as SU (1-8) picked up its first win of the year.
 
Billy Humphrey had a career-high 27 points for UNO (5-3), but the Jaguars scored 33 points off the UNO miscues.
 
"We lost this game because we didn't guard anyone and we committed too many turnovers," said UNO head coach Joe Pasternack. "We're about defense and rebounding. That's who we are. We rebounded okay, but we didn't defend. When we don't do that, we're not beating anybody."
 
Charles Carmouche had 12 points before fouling out for the Privateers, while Carl Blair had six points and nine rebounds.

UNO was held to 35 percent shooting in the second half after shooting 61 percent in the opening frame.
 
The Privateers only held a 41-39 lead at halftime, though, as SU closed the half with a 10-2 run.
 
The game went back and forth throughout the second half, and neither team had a lead greater than four points.

But UNO did not score a field goal in the final 8:12, though the visitors did stay around thanks to a 14-for-16 effort from the free throw line.
 
The Jaguars shot 46 percent in the second half and finished at 44 percent overall.
 
"If we give up 78 points, we're not going to win," said Pasternack, whose team had won five of its last six games. "There are no excuses. We just have to guard better and take care of the basketball."
 
UNO will open Sun Belt Conference play at 7 p.m. on Monday against Florida Atlantic at Lakefront Arena. For tickets, please call 504-280-GAME or visit UNOPrivateers.com.