Box Score
Sless Postgame (video) - Broyles Postgame (video) - Hill Postgame (video)
NEW ORLEANS, La. – The New Orleans Privateers men's basketball team (11-11, 8-6 Southland) had a strong close defensively and overcame a turnover prone first half in a 67-58 victory over the Southeastern Lions (11-14, 6-8) at Lakefront Arena on Thursday night.
The Lions endured a second half scoring drought that put them behind by as many as 11 points before using the three-ball to cut the deficit to 60-56 with 4:18 remaining. However, the Privateers clamped down defensively and did not allow a field goal for the rest of the contest. In that span, the Lions missed all three shots and had three turnovers.
Southeastern started quick by opening the game on a 9-2 run in the first three minutes of play. The Lions started by sinking their first four shots of the game in that run, capitalizing on two early Privateers turnovers.
"It was a great team win, and it was good to see our team mature and grow. I wish I had two more months with them because we're getting to the point where they're beginning to really understand things," said Head Coach
Mark Slessinger.
The Privateers settled in after the rough start, and slowly cut the early deficit to 14-12 at the 10:54 mark. During that stretch, the Lions endured a field goal drought that lasted for three minutes and 42 seconds. New Orleans would eventually claw back to level the score at 18-18 in a low-scoring opening half.
A three-pointer by
Christavious Gill gave the Privateers their first lead of the game at 21-20 with 3:55 left in the opening half. The Lions responded with a 7-0 run after though, and took a 27-23 lead into the half. New Orleans committed three turnovers in the next five possessions after Gill's three.
To start the second half, the scoring pace picked up. New Orleans scored 14 points in the first five minutes of play. Trailing 38-34 with 15:36 left, the Privateers went on their first huge run, an 13-2 spurt to push in front by 11 midway through the second half. During that span, Southeastern went over five minutes without a basket.
"They got on a good run and no one was selfish about it. They knew the big picture was us getting this win and getting a sweep which was one of our goals for the season so that was something that was really encouraging to do. I was really excited with how hard they played in the second half," said Slessinger.
Kevin Hill led the Privateers with 18 points and pulled down a career-high 13 rebounds.
Tevin Broyles also achieved a career-high with 17 points. The Privateers shot 58.3 percent from the field in the second half and out-rebounded Southeastern 35-24 on the night.
The Lions were paced by Antonio Benton's 16 points. Julian Chinera also reached double figures with 10 points, but Southeastern's leading scorer, JaMichael Hawkins was held to just nine points on 3-of-11 shooting.
New Orleans will next face league-leading Stephen F. Austin on Thursday, Feb. 27. Tip is scheduled for 7:45 p.m.
