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Dr Peter Fos Post-Game Locker Room Visit
NEW ORLEANS –
Darrell Williams scored a career-high 17 points to lead the University of New Orleans to 84-66 victory over Johnson & Wales at Lakefront Arena on Saturday evening.
Williams eclipsed his previous career-high of 10 points in the first half alone while scoring 11 for UNO (6-4). The Rummel product's offensive production included five three-pointers, three of which came in the opening half.
“Darrell had a huge break out game for us today, “said Privateer head coach
Mark Slessinger. “Darrell is a tremendous player who is as good a shooter as I have coached and it was great for him to have a break out night tonight and really shoot the ball well.”
“More importantly during this current stretch is the fact that his defensive skill level has increased unbelievably.”
Lovell Cook and
Generra Varmall added 16 and 11 points, respectively for UNO, which also benefitted from a career-high 18 rebounds from
Antonio Wertz. The 18 rebounds by Wertz were the most in a home game for UNO since Bo McCalebb ripped down 15 against ULM on Feb. 24, 2007.
JWU (4-5) was led in defeat by Craig Wong with 18 points. Carlos Montilla notched a double-double with 13 points and 13 rebound while Joseph Lopez contributed 12 points.
UNO kicked into gear offensively and defensively after trailing the Wildcats 7-0 at the start of the contest.
After missing their first three shots of the opening half, the Privateers connected on 13 of their next 20 to enter the break with a season-high 56.5 percent first half shooting clip.
Defensively, UNO held JWU without a field goal for a stretch of over 6:30 of clock to turn a 13-10 deficit at the 13:09 mark into a 27-17 advantage with 6:33 left.
The Wildcats had 11 turnovers and shot 30 percent during the first 20 minutes as the Privateers behind Williams' 11 points entered halftime with a 42-28 lead. The 42 points were also a first half high, eclipsing the 38 earlier this season against Selma (Ala.)
In the second half, UNO could not continue its strong shooting, but never saw its lead drop into single-digits.
The Privateers' advantage grew to a game-high of 22 points with 3:21 remaining in the contest.
Slessinger was able to empty his bench in the second half allowing freshman
Benjamin James to score his first career-points and allowing reserve
Colby Barnes to establish a career-high with five points in seven minutes.
“We thought we made an emphasis during the week's preparation to move the basketball, contest the pass and make the uncontested shot,” said Slessinger. ”And tonight, we did that.”
Following the contest, newly selected UNO President Dr. Peter Fos addressed the team in the locker room.
“It was an awesome day capped off with Dr. Fos coming to the game and coming into the locker room to address the team,” said Slessinger.” It was a special moment for our guys to have a fellow Privateer who is now our leader and the University's head coach to address us.”
The Privateers will continue their homestand with a game on Tuesday night against Division II foe Saint Leo. Tip is scheduled for 7 p.m. at Lakefront Arena with the contest scheduled to be broadcast on WGSO 990 AM and WGSO.com.
