Box Score
EAST LANSING, Mich. – The New Orleans Privateers men's basketball team fell at No. 5 Michigan State, 101-48, in front of 14,797 in attendance at the Breslin Center on Saturday afternoon.
"I felt that early on we executed and had stretches in the first half where we showed what we are capable of as a team," said Head Coach
Mark Slessinger. "Michigan State is a great team; obviously, one of the best teams and best coached programs in the nation, which is one of the main reasons why we decided to come take this challenge for our program."
"It was great to see our young men compete on a national stage and see UNO back competing on a national stage. We are proud to be Division I and have the opportunity to play the best in the country."
The Privateers (3-5) were led by junior
Matt Derenbecker with 16 points, as he played the majority of the second half with four personal fouls. Following Derenbecker was senior
Cory Dixon with 11 points and the team-high in rebounds with seven.
Michigan State (11-1) had four players in double figures as Keith Appling led all scorers with 27 points, while Denzel Valentine had a double-double with 10 points and 13 rebounds.
The Privateers jumped out to a quick 10-9 advantage at the 11:59 mark in the first half via a Dixon layup, but the Spartans responded with a 12-0 run to take the lead and never looked back. New Orleans cut into the lead with a 9-to-5 rally that was aided by two 3-pointers from Derenbecker to come within seven – 26-19 – at the 7:45 mark.
However, Michigan State went on another tear, this time a 16-to-6 run to close the half with a 44-27 lead.
"I felt like we got away from our game plan and took some shots that were outside of what we were trying to do on each possession. You have to give credit to [Michigan State] and what they were doing to keep us out of our work zone. They were well-prepared for us," added Slessinger.
"We are going to take the good minutes from this and move forward. The coaches and I are happy with our progress to this point, but we have a lot of work to do as our second season is up next."
The Spartans took further control in the second half, which included shooting 61.5 percent (8-of-13) from three-point range and 67.6 percent (19-of-33) from the floor. After making five treys in the first half, New Orleans only mustered two in the second half, which in part led to the team putting forth just 21 points in the final 20 minutes.
For both the Privateers and Spartans, this served as each's final non-conference tune up before opening league action. Michigan State opens Big 10 play at Penn State on December 31, while New Orleans plays its inaugural game in the Southland Conference at Nicholls State on January 2.
