Box Score NEW ORLEANS ? New Orleans senior forward Kyndall Dykes had 23 points, and the Privateers shot 56 percent in the second half of a 75-68 win over visiting Florida Atlantic on Thursday at Lakefront Arena.
T.J. Worley had 19 points and freshman Jahmal Burroughs had a season-best 10 as UNO (10-13, 5-7 Sun Belt Conference) got its first win in four tries against FAU (5-19, 1-11).
Brett Royster and Paul Graham III had 17 points each for the Owls, who had four players score in double figures. But the Owls committed an uncharacteristic 19 turnovers ? leading to 22 points for UNO.
The Owls entered the game ranked 32nd nationally in fewest turnovers per game (12.2). The miscues offset an FAU offense that shot 58 percent from the field in the second half and 50 percent overall.
FAU traveled with just nine players and had eight scholarship players available.
UNO, which used seven players in its last two contests, got a little healthier. Freshman guard Charles Carmouche returned after missing the previous five games with an ankle injury.
The Privateers also welcomed back junior guard Darrian McKinstry, who was suspended for the last three contests.
UNO, which led 28-25 at halftime, finally shook off the Owls midway through the second half. Trailing 37-36 with 13:59 to play after a Royster jumper, UNO went on a 15-4 run during the next 4:09 to grab a 51-41 advantage with 9:50 remaining.
FAU never got closer than four the rest of the way. The Owls, who entered the game leading the league in free-throw shooting percentage (70 percent), were just 6-for-14 from the charity stripe ? 4-for-11 in the second half.
UNO was without forwards Ejike Hart (knee) and Johann Mpondo (foot). FAU was missing All-Sun Belt forward Carlos Monroe (foot) for the eighth straight game.
The Privateers will continue league play on Saturday, hosting Louisiana-Monroe in a 7 p.m. tipoff. The game is part of a doubleheader with the women's squad, which hosts ULM at 4:30 p.m.
For ticket information, please call 504-280-GAME or log on to UNOPrivateers.com.
