NEW ORLEANS – The New Orleans Privateers eyeballed Stephen F. Austin throughout the first half but a big early second half run resulted in an 87-68 defeat on Saturday evening at the Lakefront Arena.
STATISTICAL LEADERS
Bryson Robinson tied his career-high of 31 points on 8-of-15 shooting and 11-of-12 from the line. Robinson connected on 4-of-8 from the three-point line.
Jahmel Myers landed in double figures with 10 points.
Gerrale Gates finished with seven points and a team-high six rebounds.
FIRST HALF
The game opened with New Orleans scoring the first five points. Defensively, the Privateers were able to hold SFA in check early as the Lumberjacks went 3-for-11 to start. However, in the middle of the half, a 15-0 run vaulted Stephen F. Austin to a 24-15 lead.
Unrattled, New Orleans battled right back after Myers broke the run. 12 points by Robinson (who played all 20 minutes of the half) and eight from Myers (19 first half minutes) helped the Privateers chip the Stephen F. Austin lead down to two at 34-32 when the first half clock ran out.
SECOND HALF
The Lumberjacks opened the half on fire with a 13-1 run. In that stretch. They hit six of their first eight shots from the field. Kevon Harris and Roti Ware combined for 11 of those points. New Orleans spent the rest of the evening trying to claw their way back into the contest.
Robinson continued his prolific scoring on the night in the second half as he poured in 19 more points. The Privateers also went 23-of-31 from the free throw line. New Orleans sank 15 of their 18 charity stripe trips in the second half.
Stephen F. Austin had five players in double figures led by Harris who finished with 21 points. Ware and Charlie Daniels each added 14.
NEXT UP
The Privateers will remain at home as they take on Central Arkansas on Wednesday, Jan. 8. Tip is scheduled for 7 p.m. at the Lakefront Arena.
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