KATY, Texas – A bittersweet ending to the 2019 Southland Conference Championship for the University of New Orleans (19-13) as the No. 4 Privateers fell to No. 2 Abilene Christian University (27-6) 77-60 Saturday evening at the Merrell Center.
The season did not end in Katy for UNO as the New Orleans administration announced it would be accepting a bid in the CollegeInsider.com Postseason Tournament (CIT). The Privateers will host a first-round game Wednesday at 7 p.m. at Lakefront Arena against an opponent yet determined.
Scott Plaisance Jr. was named to the Southland All-Tournament Team after averaging 12.67 points and 6.33 rebounds. Tonight, Plaisance Jr. went 5-of-9 for 13 points and added eight rebounds.
Bryson Robinson led the club with 14 points – 12 from long range – and three Privateers dished out three assists;
Damion Rosser, Robinson and
Troy Green.
The Privateers eliminated the hottest team in the league in Lamar University (nine straight wins entering Thursday), the top seed Sam Houston State University and took on a 26-win ballclub in Abilene Christian.
HEAR FROM COACH
"They outplayed us but hats off to a great coach and friend in Joe Golding," said head coach
Mark Slessinger. "We didn't have an answer for Jaren Lewis and turned the ball over too many times."
ON THIS YEAR'S TEAM
"This is one of the most joyful years I've had as a coach," said Slessinger. "The love and support this team has for one another and the way they've embraced our culture makes me most proud.
ON CIT BID
"We are blessed to have an amazing support staff at the University of New Orleans led by President Dr. John Nicklow," said Slessinger.
PLAISANCE JR. ON CHANCE TO PLAY AT HOME
"To put New Orleans across my chest is an honor. It's a one-game season going forward, and the postseason is what we play for."
FIRST HALF
Plaisance Jr. started the game with an exclamation point, slamming home the opening points for the Privateers. Moments later, Rosser soared to deflect an ACU layup.
UNO went 3-for-4 from long distance to begin the game with Robinson draining two and Plaisance Jr. stepped back for a long jumper to cut the deficit to two at the under-12 media.
ACU scored 13 unanswered to take a 32-17 edge with 6:20 left to play. Plaisance Jr.'s free throws at the 6:02 marker ended the Wildcat run.
Gerrale Gates' strong move with 4:11 remaining was sandwiched between
Troy Green's layup and Robinson's third triple of the half as the Privateers cut the ACU lead to eight with 3:39 remaining. During the run, Green and Rosa swatted a shot.
Abilene Christian led 40-29 at the half behind a hot offensive start. The Wildcats were 18-of-31 in the first and forced 13 UNO turnovers. Twenty-eight of ACU's points were scored in the paint.
Bryson Robinson led the Privateers with nine points – all from three-point range. Joe Pleasant came off the bench with 10 points and Jaren Lewis added eight.
SECOND HALF
A long rebound led to a
Bryson Robinson transition three for the half's first points.
Green's coast to coast layup and a transition layup by Rosser with 14:00 cut the ACU lead to 46-38 and forced Joe Golding to call a timeout.
Out of the break, Rosser swiped Jaren Lewis as the Privateers looked to turn the tide on the game.
Abilene Christian extended its lead to 54-40 before
Jahmel Myers' turn around and-one that took us to the under-12 media.
Unable to inbounds, ACU took another timeout and Green picked off back-to-back passes. Robinson outraced the Wildcat defender for a layup to make it 61-50.
The defense picked it up, holding the Wildcats scoreless from the 8:42 mark until free throws with 4:59 left to play. In the span, New Orleans scored seven points to make it 61-53 with 5:18 remaining in regulation.
After struggling to find points in a four-minute window, ACU struck gold, riding a 14-3 run to for its largest lead of the game.
Abilene Christian clinched its first Southland Title as an NCAA Division I program with the 77-60 win. Lewis was named the Southland Tournament Most Outstanding Player.
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