NEW ORLEANS, La. - Omarion Henry's team-high 16 points was not enough to lead the New Orleans men's basketball program (6-12, SLC 3-4) over Northwestern State (12-8, SLC 4-3) in 88-65 loss Saturday afternoon at Lakefront Arena.
The first half saw neither team score until Khaleb Wilson-Rouse broke the seal with a three at the three-minute mark sending the Privateers on a 9-2 run. The Demons quickly answered with a 9-2 run that put both teams at 11. After being tied up at 15 and again at 17, the Privateers stayed close but trailed within a ten-point range for the remainder of the half. The Demons, led by Demarcus Sharp's 18 in the opening half, also racked up a stifling eight steals that converted to 11 points. Wilson-Rouse led the Privateers with eight points into the locker room trailing 39-33.
Omarion Henry pushed the pace for the Privateers in the second half scoring 7 points in the first ten minutes on a 16-10 run, but like the first half, the Demons had something to say. Led by Ja'Monta Black, who had 12, and Emareyon McDonald, who had 10, Northwestern came back on a 39-18 run. The Privateers, leading the conference in three-point percentage, could not connect from the arc going 2-of-9 compared to the Demons at 7-of-17. The Privateers also gave up 18 second chance points to end the game 88-65.
New Orleans only had two in double figures. Henry, with 16 points, almost had a perfect performance from the field at 7-of-8. Jordan Johnson, leading the conference in three-point percentage, was 3-of-8 from the arc and 4-of-11 from the field with 12 points. Additional scorers included Simeon Kirkland, Tyson Jackson, Turk Vincent, Wilson-Rouse, Daniel Sackey, and K'mani Doughty.
NEXT UP: The Privateers will head to Hammond next week for the first of two face-offs against Southeastern. Tip-off is set for 7:30 p.m. on Thursday.
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