Privateers Set to Battle Sam Houston State on Saturday Night

NEW ORLEANS (5-5, 1-0) VS SAM HOUSTON STATE (10-4, 2-0)
GAME 11 | JANUARY 10 | 6:15 P.M. CT
NEW ORLEANS, LA. | LAKEFRONT ARENA
 
GAME NOTES | LIVE STATS | LIVE VIDEO | LIVE AUDIO | TWITTER | TICKETS
 
THE GAME:
The New Orleans men's basketball team wraps-up a three-game home-stand this Saturday, Jan. 10, at 6:15 p.m. CT as the Privateers host Sam Houston State in the Lakefront Arena.
 
New Orleans is looking for its third win in a row and fourth out of five games against the Bearkats, who hold a 10-4 overall record and a 2-0 mark in the Southland Conference.
 
The showdown of SLC unbeatens will be the last time to see New Orleans in action at home until Jan. 24.
 
THE COVERAGE:
LIVE STATS: Statistical updates will be available from UNOPrivateers.com at the start of Saturday's game.
LIVE VIDEO: UNOPrivateers.com will have the broadcast of the contest.
LIVE AUDIO: Jude Young will have the call on UNOPrivateers.com
TWITTER: Follow the New Orleans men's basketball team on Twitter @Privateers_MBB to receive updates throughout the game.
 
THE OPPONENT:
SAM HOUSTON STATE
At 10-4 on the year Sam Houston State arrives as one of the top mid-major teams in the nation having won its last five outings in a row. Veteran forward Michael Holyfield plays as one of the most feared rebounders in the Southland Conference with 110 boards to go with his 38 blocks.
 
THE SERIES
All-Time Record: Sam Houston State leads, 4-2
Last Meeting: SHSU won, 81-60, 3/8/14

LAST TIME OUT:
After trailing early on in the second half, the New Orleans men's basketball team regained momentum and held on strong, taking the lead with 13:49 to go and never looking back, winning the team's Southland Conference opener over Lamar, 72-67. The win is the second in a row for the Privateers, who move their season record to .500 at 5-5 and 1-0 in the early conference season.
 
NEXT UP:
The Privateers hit the road for three straight starting on Monday, Jan. 12 as New Orleans takes on Incarnate Word in San Antonio, Texas.
 
NEWS AND NOTES:
Home Court Advantage
New Orleans has played stellar ball on its home floor thus far, holding a 4-0 record at the Lakefront Arena and outscoring the competition 350-273.

Clean Game
The Privateers are one of the cleanest playing teams in the land, committing just 203 fouls, the 14th fewest in the nation.
 
Clean Game
Ball control has also been a theme for the Privateers early on, committing the 14th fewest fouls in the nation at 160 total and the 23rd fewest turnovers at 120.
 
Steals
The Privateers have given the ball up a total of just 162 times this season and come away with 81 total steals, putting New Orleans in the top 50 in both statistical categories.

Outshooting the Competition
After shooting 54-percent from the field during the win over the Cardinals, the Privateers remain undefeated on the season at 5-0 when shooting at a higher percentage than their opponent.
 
In the Paint
The Privateers have been tough in the paint during the 2014-15 season, outscoring their opponents by a 332-296 margin thus far.
 
Streak Enders
New Orleans welcomes in Sam Houston State on Saturday night who currently holds a five-game win streak. The Privateers are coming off of a win over Lamer who was also riding a five-game high until the loss in the Lakefront Arena.
 
Gill Reclaims the Lead
With back-to-back double-figure scoring games, sophomore Christavious Gill has reclaimed the team scoring lead, averaging 11.7 points per outing, giving Gill one point for nearly every two minutes played. Gill has put together an impressive offensive run of New Orleans, scoring in double-figures in 10 out of the last 12 games for the Privateers dating back to last season.
 
Slessinger Closing in on Win 50
Fourth year head coach Mark Slessinger is closing in on win number 50 during his coaching tenure, sitting at 41 after picking up his latest against at Lamar.

Frye at the Line
With 27-of-31 makes from the stripe, Nate Frye ranks No. 2 in the Southland Conference and No. 36 in the nation in free-throw percentage with an .871 mark. Frye put in all seven of his attempts during last week's win over Central Baptist.

To keep up with the latest New Orleans men' basketball news, follow the team on Twitter @UNOPrivateers and @@Privateers_MBB or by liking New Orleans Privateers on Facebook.