CONWAY, Ark. - New Orleans (3-2) held Central Arkansas to two points over the final four minutes of the game to break a three game losing streak and secure the 79-74 victory at the Ferris Center Sunday Afternoon. The Bears now slip to 1-7 and 6-9 all-time against the Privateers. The win marked the Privateers first true road non-conference win since December 2016 when New Orleans topped Washington State 70-54. Two veteran guards in
Jordan Johnson and
Khaleb Wilson-Rouse stepped up for New Orleans to help pull it off. Johnson led with 29 points, four rebounds and four assists, while Wilson-Rouse, named New Orleans Player of the Game, reached a career-high 22 points, eight steals, and s team-high eight rebounds in what was his best collegiate game to date.
New Orleans capitalized on good looks early as they led by as much as 16 points nearing the nine-minute mark closing out opening half 47-39. They also continued to prove themselves strong defensively after forcing 17 UCA turnovers in 20 minutes in large part to five early Wilson-Rouse steals. Impressive scoring in transition led to 30 points in the paint in comparison to UCA with 18. Johnson scored all but nine of his points in the opening half making all seven of his first seven shots and helping New Orleans leave the floor at fifty percent shooting.
The second half was much more of a battle for the Privateers who were able to revisit the double-digit lead (52-42) just under 17 minutes on a
Mason Jones layup in the second half. The lead slowly diminished as UCA outscored New Orleans 23-15 to knot the game at 65 with just over six minutes to go. The Privateers then quickly found themselves in a five point deficit (72-67) off of two UCA trips to the foul line, a lay up, and a three-pointer, but remained unfazed. With just over three minutes remaining, Wilson-Rouse struck by sinking two consecutive threes to put the Privateers on top 73-72 for what would be the last lead change. New Orleans then held the Bears to just two points for the remainder of the game and made free-throws down the stretch to closeout a 79-74 decision. New Orleans finished at 45.8% scoring from the field and a season-high 47.6% from the arc on 10-of-21 shooting. Johnson made six of those while Wilson-Rouse made three. New Orleans forced 24 turnovers and picked up 16 steals. This is their second game in a row forcing 20+ turnovers, and they sit at sixth nationally averaging 18.80 forced turnovers per game.
UP NEXT
New Orleans will move on to play BIG TEN Minnesota Thursday, November 30. Tip-off is set for 6 p.m.
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WE ARE YOUR KREWE
For 54 seasons, Privateer student-athletes have had the unique experience of wearing New Orleans across their chests. Like the city itself, our sports teams have been fueled by resiliency, grit, and the unquenchable desire to win. Our city also houses the nation's biggest celebration each year. And much like a Mardi Gras parade krewe, we are tethered to our community through pride, tradition, a culture of acceptance, and finally our commitment to show that New Orleans is a world-class city to live, learn, play and work. We invite you to become more involved with the only University that truly represents New Orleans all day, every day. Join #NOLAsTeam, We Are Your Krewe!
