Box Score
BEAUMONT, Texas – The New Orleans Privateers men's basketball team fell victim to early turnovers and red-hot shooting by the Lamar Cardinals in Thursday night's 89-72 loss at the Montagne Center.
"We were not as sharp defensively as we needed to be tonight and that is on me as the head coach. I take responsibility and we will fix our mistakes," said Head Coach Mark Slessinger. "We have to continue to grow and finish the season out strong. We have a tough opponent Saturday against one of the better teams in our conference and I expect a great effort."
Leading the Privateers (11-14, 8-9 Southland) was James Harrison with 17 points in only his second start of his young collegiate career. Kevin Hill also impressed with 13 points and 11 rebounds for his fourth consecutive double-double and fifth game in double digits scoring. Tradarrius McPhearson and Christavious Gill each put forth 10 points off the bench.
Lamar (4-25, 3-14 Southland) was aided by Nimrod Hillard with a game-high 19 points to lead four double-digit scorers for the Cardinals. In addition to solid individual efforts, the Cardinals shot 54.2 percent (32-of-59) from the floor as a team for the game.
"When an opposing team shoots over 50 percent for the game, you are not going to win many games. I am confident that we will rebound from this and have a strong showing at Sam Houston State," said Slessinger.
Of New Orleans' first 10 points in the game, six belonged to Hill but the dominant effort in the post by the sophomore still left the Privateers in a 12-10 deficit early in the first half. Lamar steadily built its lead to as many as 23 points before Harrison sank a three-ball from the left corner before intermission to go into the locker room down 47-27.
In the second half, the Privateers went on a 15-5 run in the second half that saw New Orleans come as close as 12 points – 72-60 – under seven minutes left, but that is the closest the Privateers would come to a comeback.
The Privateers close out the season on Saturday, March 8 at Sam Houston State. Tip-off is set for 4 p.m. in Huntsville, Texas.
