Privateers Shoot Past Lions, 86-79, with School-Record Tying 12 Three-Pointers

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NEW ORLEANS, La. – The New Orleans men's basketball team tied a school record with 12 three-pointers in the Lakefront Arena on Thursday night, propelling the Privateers past in-state rival Southeastern Louisiana in Southland Conference action.
 
Sophomore Nate Frye was good for a career-best 24 points on six three-pointers during the victory, tying a school-best with six consecutive makes from beyond the arc.
 
The win keeps New Orleans unbeaten all-time against Southeastern at 10-0, giving the Privateers the season sweep of the Lions while giving the home team its 10^th win of the season at 10-16 and 6-11 in the SLC.
 
"What an unbelievable game," said New Orleans head coach Mark Slessinger. "Everything crazy that could happen in a basketball game has happened both times we've played these guys. It was good to see us shoot at that high of a level. It was a crazy Southland, in-state game and I'm happy to get that win and go onto the next one."
 
The first 20 minutes saw five lead changes and three ties, New Orleans taking over on the scoreboard for the first time at the 16:02 mark with a three-pointer from Nate Frye, making it 7-5 Privateers.
 
After Southeastern went back up by a pair, the Privateers managed a 9-0 run on three-pointers from Christavious Gill and Frye, putting the score at 15-9 New Orleans with 14:23 on the clock.
 
But Southeastern stormed back, taking a five point lead, its largest of the half, just five minutes later on a fast-break dunk, putting the visitors on top 24-19.
 
The two squads then battled back-and-forth before New Orleans came to life, going on a 13-0 run just before the half with six points coming from Brown on a pair of threes and five coming from Kevin Brown.
 
The big offensive push gave New Orleans a 42-34 lead heading into the half thanks in large part to seven made threes through the first 20 minutes of action.
 
Out of the break New Orleans came out firing on all cylinders, going on a 12-4 run to go up 54-38 following a layup from Terrance Syon with 17:20 to play in regulation.
 
The Privateers went on to enjoy their largest lead of the game at the 12:09 mark when yet another Frye three-point ball found its way in, putting New Orleans solidly on top at 73-50.
 
It would take strong defense for the Privateers to solidify the strong offensive performance, however, as Southeastern came storming back, bringing the game down to just a three-point lead at 79-76 in the final minute of action.
 
Two free throws each from Hill and Tevin Broyles then brought home the Lakefront Arena finale for the Privateers, clinching the six-point win for New Orleans.
 
Along with the team-high from Frye, Hill also ended the night in double-figures with his 15 while Gill and Brown each added 13, Brown sending in four three-pointers of his own.
 
To go with his 24 points, Frye also handed out five of the team's 18 assists as well as walking away with three steals.
 
Broyles led the squad in the assists category with his six.
 
Altogether, New Orleans shot 12-of-19 from beyond the arc and 15-of-17 from the line.
 
New Orleans is set to make its regular season final this Saturday, March 7, at 3 p.m. CT as the squad hits the road to take on Northwestern State prior to tipping off in the SLC Tournament next week in Katy, Texas.

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.