New Orleans Suffers 88-78 Setback at Northwestern, SLC Tourney up Next for Privateers

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NATCHITOCHES, La. – In the 2014-15 regular season finale for the New Orleans men's basketball team it was Northwestern State that came out on top, taking the 88-78 win at Prather Coliseum on Saturday afternoon.
 
New Orleans now heads into next week's Southland Conference tournament at 10-17 overall and 6-12 in the league after outscoring the Demons 43-37 in the second half.
 
"We talked a lot about the journey," said New Orleans head coach Mark Slessinger. "And about how close we are from getting to the top of this mountain and how many of these games we've come so close in. I couldn't be prouder for our guys' resolve and how well they've stayed together. Their hearts are always in the right place and for the first time in a long time we're excited to go play for an opportunity to go to the NCAA Tournament."
 
Following the opening tip win from Kevin Hill for New Orleans it was Kevin Brown that got the Privateers their first lead in the early goings with a jumper, setting New Orleans up 4-2 through the first two minutes.
 
After a quick 4-4 tie, Nate Frye then got New Orleans back on top with a layup at 6-4 Privateers, but an 8-3 run gave Northwestern (18-11, 13-5) the first two-possession lead of the afternoon for either team at 12-7 with 15:48 to go.
 
A Hill layup on a Frye assists brought the Privateers within two points minutes later at 17-15 before the Demons went on a big offensive run, bringing their lead up to 10 points at 27-17.
 
With 5:57 to go, the Demons extended their lead to 16 at 41-25 following a three-pointer with the Privateers dwindling that back down to 12 after a Brown three one-minute later.
 
New Orleans ended the half with a pair of free throws from Hill, sending things into the break at 51-35 Northwestern.
 
Brown started off the final 20 minutes with a three-pointer for the Privateers, getting New Orleans within 13 points at 51-38 just :20 in. Terrance Syon then stole in in-bounds pass and laid it in, cutting the lead down to 11.
 
The 6-0 run ended with a Travin Thibodeaux free throw, bringing the Demon lead down to 10 points at 51-41.
 
The Privateers weren't done yet, bringing the Northwestern advantage all the way down to just five points after baskets from Hill, Syon and Christavious Gill, putting the scoreboard at 52-47 Demons with 15 minutes to play.
 
Brown then got the Privateers back within four, the closest gap since midway through the first half, with a layup to make it 56-52. But a quick 9-1 run from the Demons got the home team back up by double-figures at 65-53 with under 12 minutes remaining.
 
After the Demons jumped up by 17 at 77-60 it was New Orleans that took off on the offensive end, going on an 13-0 run with four points from Hill, putting the Privateers within four at the 5:14 mark.
 
But four quick points from the Demons with 2:30 left would put the game out of reach as Northwestern took the 88-78 home-floor win.
 
Hill brought home his third double-double of the season with his 12 points and 11 rebounds while Syon claimed his second during the contest, finishing up with 12 rebounds and 11 points.
 
Brown was tops in the scoring column for the Privateers with his 19 points while Frye tipped in 11.
 
New Orleans now heads to Katy, Texas to participate in the Southland Conference tournament starting this Wednesday, March 11.

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.