Box Score
NEW ORLEANS, La.- The New Orleans Privateers men's basketball team (4-8, 1-3 Southland) hit a seven-minute long dry spell from the field in the first half, and committed 25 turnovers in a 78-55 loss to the Incarnate Word Cardinals (13-2, 1-1) at Lakefront Arena on Saturday.
"I felt like we took a step back today which was frustrating for where we're at. I'm disappointed across the board from me on down. We just didn't play our best today," said Head Coach
Mark Slessinger.
The Privateers' drought from the field started at the 10:05 mark and ended nearly seven minutes later when
Cory Dixon followed his own miss with a tip in. The Cardinals had scored 12 consecutive points in that stretch, and led by as many as six. Incarnate Word closed the first half on an 18-2 run, and carried a 37-27 lead into the break. New Orleans was hindered by turnovers early, as they committed 15 in the first half alone.
Both teams went back-and-forth in the early stages until the Privateers went on the first run of the game, an 8-0 spurt to push ahead 20-16. The run was capped by a huge block by
Terrance Syon that turned into a corner triple in transition from
Micah Walker.
New Orleans' struggles continued in the second half as they went without a field goal on their first nine possessions (0-for-5 with four turnovers). The Privateers didn't get their first basket of the half until Syon scored a basket, and made a bonus free throw to cap a three-point play with 14:05 left.
The lead was as large as 20 points for the Cardinals when a pair of Denzel Livingston free throws pushed the lead to 58-38. The Privateers responded with a 7-0 run to cut the deficit to 13 with 8:26 left, but would get no closer.
New Orleans was led by
Nate Frye who had a new career-high with 13 points on 5-of-6 shooting and 3-of-3 from three-point range. Dixon and Syon each added seven points. The Privateers out-rebounded Incarnate Word 35-29, and had all 20 second chance points in the contest.
The Cardinals were paced by Livingston who put up 29 points on 9-of-13 from the field, and a perfect 8-for-8 from the line. Kyle Hittle added 19 points, and Sam Burmeister added 10.
The Privateers look to bounce back on Thursday, Jan. 16 when take on Lamar at Lakefront Arena. Tip is slated approximately for 7:45 p.m.
