Box Score
LAKE CHARLES, La. – The New Orleans Privateers men's basketball team (3-7, 0-2) clawed its way back from a 20-point second half deficit at McNeese State (4-10, 2-0) to come within nine, but the comeback stalled there as the Cowboys held on to win 82-69 on Saturday afternoon at Burton Coliseum.
New Orleans was led by
Cory Dixon as he had his fifth double-double of the season, scoring a career-high 24 points and 17 rebounds. Dixon's rebound total was also the highest for a Privateer against a Division I opponent since Bo McCaleeb pulled down 15 against Louisiana-Monroe in 2007.
Following Dixon into double figures was
Christavious Gill and
Isaac Mack with 14 and 13, respectively. Gill's 14 points was also a career high, and he has registered 10-plus points in his last two games.
The Privateers went on a 23 to12 run to get the score within single digits, 75-66, under two minutes, but McNeese State then rattled off four straight points to all but ice the game.
"I was proud of the fight that the guys had; we never gave up, despite our early deficit. That shows myself and the coaches that we have a lot of good character guys on our team that are willing to do whatever it takes," said Head Coach
Mark Slessinger. "But we have to start off better."
The Privateers were victim to a five-minute scoring drought in the first half, which gave way to an 11-0 run that New Orleans never recovered from. In addition to the early hole, New Orleans struggled from behind the arc (3-of-15) for the second consecutive game.
"Falling behind early, I think, dictated the game. We have emphasized that we have to start well. When we start well and play a full 40 minutes, we are capable of beating anyone," said Sleesinger. "I was proud though that the guys never gave up and we pulled within striking distance in the second half."
The five-minute scoring drought led to a 21-8 lead at the 10:07 mark, but the Privateers rallied to come within seven – 26-19 – with under 4:39 left in the opening half that was aided by Gill's four points, three rebounds and a steal with 13 minutes of action. However, the Cowboys mounted another tear, taking a 15-point, 37-22 lead into halftime.
McNeese State was led by Kevin Hardy with 23 points, while teammate Ledrick Eackles followed closely with 22.
"We didn't do a good job on [Eackles and Hardy], and they made us pay for it. McNeese played well tonight and all the credit goes to them," said Slessinger.
New Orleans will host Abilene Christian on Thursday, Jan. 9 with tip set for 7:45 p.m.
