KATY, Texas – Down one in the closing seconds of the game, University of New Orleans guard
Bryson Robinson went between the legs and found nothing but net on a contested three to propel the No. 4 Privateers (18-12) to a 76-72 victory over No. 5 Lamar University (20-13) Thursday evening at the Merrell Center. The Privateers advance to take on regular season champion and top-ranked Sam Houston State University in the semifinals tomorrow at 5 p.m.
Robinson faced up V.J. Holmes and drained the game-winner as UNO won its first game at the Merrell Center for the third consecutive season.
SEE GAME WINNING SHOT HERE:
https://youtu.be/FX9_FkPLH_Y
Robinson finished with 17 points and four assists,
Scott Plaisance Jr. added 16 points, seven rebounds and two blocked shots and
Jorge Rosa went 3-for-5 from long distance for 13 points.
HEAR FROM COACH
"I've been on record as saying the MVP of our team is the team," said head coach
Mark Slessinger. "For stretches today, we had a new player take over and our team from top to bottom are a confident group. We are excited and it's a celebration of the hard work these guys have gone through, but it doesn't end tonight."
ON HIS COACHING PHILOSOPHY
"I told our guys prior to the season if I lead this team, we will be okay. If you lead this team, we can be a championship level team. We showed today that we can make necessary adjustments and I'm so proud of our team."
ON TOMORROW'S OPPONENT
"We have a tough task in front of us against the regular season champions. Hats off to coach Hooten and the Bearkats and we look forward to playing Sam Houston again."
FIRST HALF
The offense was the story for both programs in the first half with UNO shooting 53.3 percent from the field and Lamar 56.0 percent. The Privateers led by as much as 14 with 3:18 remaining, but the Cardinals closed the half on a 12-0 run to give New Orleans a 42-40 edge at the break.
The Privateers connected on 4-of-9 from deep, while the Cardinals shot 54.5 percent from three-point range.
Bryson Robinson was the team leader with nine points and three assists, Rosa followed with eight points and
Troy Green came off the bench with six.
Nick Garth led all players with 15 points and Davion Buster added 10.
The 42 first-half points were the fifth most in a game this season and the seventh time the Privateer surpassed the 40-point plateau in the opening stanza.
LU took a 13-7 lead following V.J. Holmes' jumper with 15:10 to go and after the media timeout, UNO looked refreshed, going on a 9-1 run, capped by
Larry Robinson III's three-pointer and Green's silky finish at the rim.
Lamar regained the lead 19-16 (11:04) before another UNO run – this time, 8-0 – put the Silver and Blue ahead 24-19 in a two-minute span. Rosa's triple at the 5:31 clip extended the Privateers lead to 12, and moments later,
Damion Rosser's left-handed finish with 4:47 remaining kept the UNO lead in double figures, 37-26.
The Cardinals got hot late to close the gap, but the Privateers held the edge after 20 minutes of action 42-40.
SECOND HALF
The Privateers erased the Lamar run to end the first with back-to-back threes for Rosa and
Bryson Robinson, adding to the UNO cushion as LU looked to end the hot start to the half.
Plaisance Jr. stepped back as Robinson corralled the ball and became the third Privateer to reach double figures, draining the long-range shot at the 15:30 mark to put UNO in front 56-48.
Prior to the under-16 media, Lamar cut its deficit to three and one of the unsung heroes
Larry Robinson III shined as the junior swatted away a shot and followed with a floater to give the Privateers a 60-55 lead at the under-12 media.
New Orleans and Lamar continued to trade baskets with Green's layup and Josh Nzeakor's basket. A split at the line made it a four-point ballgame in favor of the Privateers at the halfway point of the stanza.
The Cardinals went on an 8-0 run to take their first lead since the 10:16 mark of the first half with 9:22 left to play in regulation.
Another split at the line added to the Lamar lead and the Cardinals were ahead 64-62 with 7:57 remaining.
Plaisance Jr. drained an open jumper with 6:11 to go to regain the lead for UNO 65-64, but and-ones by Garth and Avery Sullivan put Lamar in front by four at the final media.
A foul with 2:39 left sent Holmes to the line and V.J. missed both to leave the game at 70-67 Lamar as UNO looked to tie it for the fourth time. The defense came up big forcing a shot clock violation with 1:50 remaining.
Plaisance Jr. pulled up for his fifth basket with 1:32 left to cut the deficit to one. The senior then forced a travel on the interior as UNO regained possession looking to regain the lead at the 1:20 mark.
Plaisance Jr. continued to take over in the second with a baby hook in the paint to put UNO in front by one with 1:05 remaining.
The Privateers were called for goaltending with 48.3 seconds, giving Lamar a 72-71 lead.
Bryson Robinson called game as the junior connected from straight away with a trey with 22.1 seconds remaining and Rosser made both from the line as UNO advanced, eliminating Lamar 76-72.
UNO raced to the board with its magnet, a new feature at the Southland Tournament, and advanced to the semifinals. In the locker room, President Dr. John Nicklow celebrated with the team, showcasing his dance moves.
NEXT UP
No. 4 UNO faces No. 1 Sam Houston State with the winner receiving a spot in the finals of the 2019 Southland Tournament. Tip-off is scheduled for 5 p.m.
SOCIAL MEDIA
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@PrivateersMBB on Twitter,
@PrivateersMBB on Instagram, like
/PrivateersMBB on Facebook and subscribe to the
PrivateerAthletics YouTube channel.
Game Notes:
http://unoprivateers.com/sports/2017/11/6/mens-basketball-game-notes.aspx
Live Stats:
https://southland.org/sidearmstats/mbball/summary
Audio:
http://unoprivateers.com/watch/
Video:
http://www.espn.com/watch/_/id/53471d41-aaaa-427d-917f-b8c63b1d84e2/southland-mens-basketball-tournament
