SAN ANTONIO, Tx. – Tyson Jackson's career-high night (22 pts) helped New Orleans men's basketball program (6-9, SLC 3-1) escape the UIW Cardinals (6-11, SLC 0-4) with an overtime victory 85-79 at the McDermott Center Thursday night.
Sealing their third straight win and tying for first in the Southland Conference, the Privateers had a 13-point lead to close out a first half that featured 12 lead changes and 9 ties. With most of their looks coming from inside the paint, New Orleans only connected on three three-pointers in the first half to close it out 43-30.
In the next twenty minutes, the Cardinals, outscoring the Privateers 41-28, proved relentless cutting the game to a one-point lead with three minutes left in the game. Inefficient defense by New Orleans allowed the Cardinals 10 offensive rebounds and 21compared to 12 by the Privateers in the entire second half. Tied at 71 with 16 seconds left in the game, Trey Miller had the chance to win the game for the Cardinals on a made layup, but it did not stand due to an offensive foul against Jordan Johnson at the basket. Khaleb Wilson-Rouse tried to answer at the three-point line with 10 seconds on the clock but came up short sending the Privateers into their second overtime game of the season.
While not effective in the second half, New Orleans regained focus to finish the job in overtime. The Privateers out-rebounded the Cardinals defensively 4-1 and were 6-8 at the charity stripe to win the game 85-79.
Jackson's 22 points makes him the third Privateer this season to crossover the 20-point threshold in a single game and the fifth to score 20 points or more. Jamond Vincent recorded his second straight double-double with 12 points and a team-high 12 rebounds. He also shot a perfect 4-of-4 from the charity stripe. Jordan Johnson chipped in 13 points and three rebounds while Wilson-Rouse also reached double-figures with 10 points, 5 rebounds, and a perfect appearance at the FT line. Every Privateer who took the floor (10) scored against the Cardinals.
UP NEXT
New Orleans travels to Corpus-Christi to knock off the Texas A&M-Corpus Christ Islanders Saturday. Tip-off is set for 3:30 p.m. CT.
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