NEW ORLEANS – The hometown kid took over in the first postseason game at Lakefront Arena since 1994 as
Lamont Berzat finished with 21 points, 10 assists and four steals in the University of New Orleans' (16-16) 77-74 victory over the University of Texas Rio Grande Valley (15-18) Wednesday evening at Lakefront Arena. The win propels the Privateers to the quarterfinals of the College Basketball Invitational Monday, March 19 at Campbell University. More information to follow.
Berzat's double-double highlighted three double-digit scorers with
Damion Rosser added 14 points, five assists and four rebounds and
Ezekiel Charles concluding with 12 points and four boards.
Troy Green added eight points and a block,
Makur Puou scored eight points with six rebounds and three assists and
Scott Plaisance and
Diontae Champion swatted two shots apiece.
FIRST HALF
The Privateer defense swarmed UTRGV to six turnovers midway through the period and led 21-20 behind Berzat's four points, three assists and two steals. Plaisance added a block and a steal as UNO scored eight points off the Vaqueros' miscues.
Berzat hit back-to-back triples with less than a minute remaining but UTRGV answered back and we were tied at the half at 37. The balanced Privateers attack featured four players with five or more points – Berzat with nine points, four assists and three steals, Rosser with eight points, two assists and Charles and Green with five points apiece.
SECOND HALF
The three-point shot fell early for UNO with Charles and Berzat going back-to-back to put the Silver and Blue in front 43-39.
The lead became seven minutes later on Green's steal and alley-oop finish from the Berzat dime, bringing the Lakefront Arena crowd to its feet as the St. Rose native concluded the fast break with a left-handed finish.
Tyren Harrison's layup with 8:51 to go put the Privateers ahead 62-55 but the Vaqueros cut the deficit to one with free throws at the 4:33 mark.
The back-and-forth continued with Rosser – who dominated in the second half – finishing Berzat's 10
th assist of the game with a layup with 1:02 to go to make it 72-69 UNO.
Following free throws by UTRGV, Charles went to the line. Prior to the free throws, UNO was 10-of-21 but Zeke drained both with 23 ticks remaining.
A Vaquero miss and long rebound was secured by Berzat and the freshman all but clinched the game with free throws to give him 21 points with nine seconds.
UTRGV made a three with 3.2 remaining and sent Green to the line with 0.4 remaining but UNO advanced to the second round with the 76-74 victory.
NEXT UP
New Orleans heads to Campbell for the quarterfinals of the CBI Monday. Time will be announced at a later time.
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