Box Score UNO-CBU Box Score
NEW ORLEANS – The University of New Orleans' 14-game home winning streak came to a halt in a 78-68 loss to Christian Brothers on Saturday afternoon at Lakefront Arena.
The setback was the first at home for UNO (9-7) since a 57-53 loss to Tulane on Dec. 14, 2010.
CBU (9-2) was led by the pair of Scott Dennis and Zack Warner. Dennis topped all scorers with 20 points in addition to his seven rebounds while Warner scored 18 points with a game-high eight assists.
The loss was the third in a row for the Privateers, who received 13 points and nine rebounds from
Lovell Cook.
Rarlensee Nelson added another 10 points for UNO, which also received nine points apiece from
Darrell Williams and
Max Banchy.
CBU scored the first five points of the contest before the Privateers embarked on a 13-0 run.
Colby Barnes scored four points during the outburst which saw the Bucs held without a field goal for nearly four minutes of play.
UNO remained in the driver's seat for the entire first half and carried a 43-42 advantage into the break. The Privateers shot 7 of 11 from beyond the arc in the opening 20 minutes and 48.5 percent from the field to fend off the Bucs heading into the intermission.
The point total by the Privateers in the opening half were the most given up by CBU before the break since 2005.
CBU shot 45.8 percent in the opening half and only continued their proficient shooting in the second half. The Bucs shot 48.3 percent over the final 20 minutes and took their first lead of the half at 47-45 with 18:23 to go.
CBU remained in the driver's seat with the exception of two brief leads for the Privateers before seven minutes had passed in the second half.
“We needed to turn them over some more offensively,” said UNO head coach
Mark Slessinger of the Bucs' eight turnovers in the contest. “We did not get as many turnovers forced as we needed to.”
“We got the tempo at a level we wanted to during the game, but we had a four-to-five minute stretch in the second half in which we fell off our defensive intensity, costing us down the stretch.”
UNO struggled offensively in the second half, dropping to a 26.7 percent clip over the final 20 minutes. The Privateers did receive a much needed boost from the bench in the contest, outscoring CBU 32-15.
“With our injuries to Antonio (Wertz) and Albert (Petersen), we have been able to have guys step in and make contributions when we needed to,” said Slessinger. “They have done great job stepping up and filling the holes, where we can continue to be competitive.”
“To make a comeback from our trip out West, come out today and make the effort we did, it was tremendous. It is a great sign for us to go forward and keep moving with these home games to come.”
The Privateers will turn their attention to three more home games, starting with Xavier (La.) on Jan. 4 at 7 p.m. with games to follow against Concordia-Selma (Jan. 7) and Champion Baptist (Jan. 11). To purchase tickets, visit TicketMaster.com, the Lakefront Arena Box Office or call (504) 280-GAME.
