NEW ORLEANS – The Privateers went on a 12-1 run to take a double-digit lead at the under-four media and the University of New Orleans (11-9, 6-3 Southland) closed out the game with five unanswered to win back-to-back league games, defeating Northwestern State University (7-14, 2-6 Southland) 72-64 Wednesday evening at Lakefront Arena.
The Privateers are now 8-1 at Lakefront Arena in 2018-19 and host the University of the Incarnate Word Saturday at 4:15 p.m.
Bryson Robinson connected on five triples and finished with 17 points, seven assists and three steals. The seven assists are a season-high and one away from tying his career mark, set last season at Northwestern State. Robinson added three steals in the win.
Ezekiel Charles matched B. Rob with 17 points, going 5-of-6 from the charity stripe, and the senior guard continued to show his interior prowess with nine rebounds.
Damion Rosser finished with 13 points and four boards.
FIRST HALF
Northwestern State took a 6-0 lead at the under-16 media, but
Scott Plaisance Jr. made his defensive presence felt with two steals and two blocked shots in the opening minutes.
Fresh off the break,
Troy Green drove to the hoop for two following Charles' swat. That began a 9-0 UNO run to put the Privateers in front 9-6. After an NSU three, Green stepped back for a triple of his own to regain the lead for the Blue and Silver (12-9) at the under-12 media.
The back and forth continued with the Privateers taking a 32-31 lead at the break. Green came off the bench with seven points, two assists and two steals and Plaisance added four points, three boards, two blocks and two steals. Robinson connected on two from long distance for six points.
SECOND HALF
The close contest continued in the second half with the teams trading points and Robinson's fourth triple with 8:15 tying the game at 50-all. Moments later, Rosser hit one-of-two from the line and
Gerrale Gates' offensive rebound led to a Charles' layup and the foul, putting UNO in front 57-53.
Robinson continued to showcase his range with another from long distance with 5:55 remaining to extend the Privateers lead to seven as NSU looked to regroup. New Orleans took an 11-point cushion to the final media timeout. The run was officially 12-0 from the 7:06 mark to 3:32, but the lead was still double figures 64-54. Northwestern State made its first field goal since the 7:23 mark with 2:20 left to play on Ishmael Lane's layup. During the run, the Demons turned the ball over four times.
The Demons scored nine unanswered to make it a one-possession game, however, Robinson found a driving Gates for the and-one to extend the UNO lead to five with 46 ticks. The teams traded free throws.
NOTES: New Orleans is now 9-2 when scoring 70 or more points… we are undefeated when assistant coach
Kris Arkenberg drinks Perrier at home… Lane finished with 17 points and 15 rebounds to lead NSU… the Privateers were 20-of-27 from the line, making 20 free throws for the fourth time this season… Green came off the bench with eight points, four assists, four rebounds and two steals… Plaisance Jr. finished with two blocks and two steals.
NEXT UP
The Privateers host UIW Saturday at 4:15 p.m.
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