NEW ORLEANS - In a game that featured several lengthy runs by both
teams, South Alabama went on the last significant run and walked out of
Lakefront Arena with a 59-51 victory over New Orleans on Thursday night.
The win snapped a four-game losing streak for USA (13-11, 5-7 Sun
Belt). Gary Redus and Tim Williams had 16 apiece for the Jaguars with
Martino Brock adding in another 12 points.
USA took advantage of the paint with an 18-10 edge on UNO (7-16, 2-10
SBC), thanks in large part to a 16-8 difference in offensive rebounds.
Devin McDonald led UNO with 14 points with
Carl Blair, who was making
his first appearance off the bench this season in 23 appearances,
scoring 10 points.
Redus could not miss a shot in the opening minutes of the contest,
scoring 10 of the Jaguars' 11 points out of the gate. Redus connected
on all four field goal attempts, including both shots from beyond the
arc during an 11-4 USA start.
J.L. Lewis ended the run and a UNO dry spell with a three-pointer,
starting a 13-3 spurt the other way. Blair and
Charles Carmouche added
three-pointers on consecutive possessions as the Privateers took their
first lead of the game, 17-14.
The UNO advantage would grow to 19-16 with 9:06 remaining in the
opening half before the Jaguars went into the break on a 17-4 run to
enter the half with a 33-23 lead. The Privateers shot 1 of 8 while
committing six turnovers over the final nine minutes of the half.
As the curtain lifted on the second half, UNO embarked on a 14-2 run to
regain the lead 37-35. The run included four three pointers, the first
two of which came from McDonald.
With the game of runs continuing forward, it was the Jaguars' turn to
make their move. USA responded to the UNO outburst with a 15-3 run to
take a 50-40 lead as the Privateers went six minutes without a field
goal.
When UNO made a basket again, the Privateers would be able to cut the
deficit to five at 50-45. Five points was the closest the hosts would
get as the Jaguars took advantage to the tune of 24-11 in the second
half.
The next game for the Privateers will take place this coming Saturday
on the Lakefront against Arkansas State at 7 p.m. The contest is the
second half of a doubleheader with the women who will take the floor
against ASU at 4:30 p.m.
