Box Score UNO-SLU Box Score
NEW ORLEANS – Needing a lift with the team's leading scorer held in check, the University of New Orleans displayed its depth in a 66-55 victory over Saint Leo on Tuesday night at Lakefront Arena.
By the time UNO (7-4) leading scorer
Antonio Wertz scored his first points of the game with 1:50 remaining, the bench had already made its mark on the contest. Led by matching 12-point efforts by
Brandon Canady and
Generra Varmall, the Privateers bench outscored Saint Leo (5-3) 34-8.
Lovell Cook was the leading scorer on the night for head coach
Mark Slessinger's UNO squad, who won their 13
th straight game at home and the sixth this season. The win came against the first NCAA Division II squad on the slate for the Privateers.
“Today was a great example of the UNO basketball system working because we had guys come in that were not starters who are prepared, experienced and ready to contribute,” said Slessinger. “They all had a winning attitude and executed their roles extremely well.”
SLU was led in scoring by Shaun Adams with 17 points while Trent Thomas added another 12. Tom Neary was the game's leading rebounder with 10.
The game got off to a rocky start for the Lions, who were coming off a significant layoff for finals.
SLU made just 2 of their first 17 attempts from the field to start the contest, including a stretch of 8:54 in which they were held without a single basket.
Despite the Lions' difficulties from the field , the Privateers clung to just a 14-8 lead.
As is typically the case, the poor shooting did not last much longer as SLU scored 12 straight while connecting on seven of their next eight shots to gain a 25-20 lead as the poor shooting bug ended up on the UNO bench.
The Privateers went 4:29 without a basket before a Canady three-pointer with 2:17 remaining before the break tied the contest up at 27. UNO's 42.3 percent shooting capped by a Varmall lay-up with 19 seconds remaining before the half sent the Privateers into the locker room with a 29-27 lead.
In the second half, poor shooting riddled SLU once more at the onset as the Lions went 0 for 5 after the break, allowing UNO to move ahead 32-27.
SLU kept around, getting within one point at 33-32 before the Privateers went on a 12-3 run. An
Antonio Holmes dunk capped the spurt and UNO was ahead 45-35.
The Lions threatened once more, cutting the lead to one point on two occasions, the last at 52-51 before Cook put the game out of reach. The Warren Easton product scored six points during a 12-0 run, part of a 4-for-4 effort by Cook that put UNO comfortably ahead until the final buzzer.
“This was an extremely well coached basketball team that is one of the best motion teams we have seen all year,” said Slessinger. “They really shoot the ball well from three and from the floor and do a phenomenal job of executing their offense.”
“I was very proud that our guys took our game plan and were able to play with enough effort and positive attitude to come out on top.”
Following the game and handshakes with the visiting foe, the team headed right to the exits to thank members of the crowd.
“This was an important win for our job of rebuilding the pride in New Orleans basketball and continuing to put a product on the floor that students, staff, faculty , alumni and the city can be proud of,” said Slessinger, who joined his team in thanking fans for their support.
UNO will leave the city of New Orleans for the first time in nine games when they visit Concordia-Selma on Friday at 7 p.m. The Privateers return home on Sunday for a 2:30 p.m. contest against future Gulf South Conference rival North Alabama.
