NEW ORLEANS, La.- The New Orleans Privateers (4-6) return to the Lakefront for their final non-conference home test Thursday. Tip-off is scheduled for 6:30 p.m., and admission for New Orleans students are free. The game will air on ESPN+ and 106.1 NASH FM with Jude Young on the call.
PREVIEW
The last time the Privateers were home, Jordan Johnson reached 1,000 career points as New Orleans remained undefeated with the win over Belhaven, 79-65. Since then, the Silver and Blue completed a two-game west coast swing visiting San Jose State and San Francisco.
In its last time out, New Orleans staged a huge second-half comeback before falling, 85-72, at San Francisco. New Orleans trailed by as many as 21-points, but put together an offense that ignited a 25-8 run drawing them within a possession with five minutes of play remaining. The Privateers shot 47% on 24-of-51 shooting and 90% from the foul line at 19-of-21.
Johnson led New Orleans with a team-high 28 points on 8-of-15 shooting from the field and a nearly perfect showing at the charity stripe (10-of-11). The fourth ranked NCAA scorer averaged 27 points and five assists over the last three games and has scored more than 21 points in seven out of ten games. Johnson is currently leading the Privateers and the Southland Conference in scoring (23.8), assists (4.3), and free throws (.871).
Tyson Jackson was named New Orleans Player of the Game at USF after notching a season-high 18 points and five rebounds. The preseason all-conference selection is averaging 7.4 points per game.
Senior guard Khaleb Wilson-Rouse joined Johnson and Jackson in double-figure by chipping in 12 points and five rebounds. The Chicago native is averaging 12 points per game and leads the Privateers in steals (2.1). Wilson-Rouse also leads the conference in total steals (21) and ranks in the top 50 nationally.
Carlos Hart got his first two starts on the west coast and had a season-high two steals at SJSU. The South Georgia State College transfer averages 5.4 points and had a season-high 12 points against North Dakota.
Jah Short had a career-high game on the west coast scoring 18 points and eight rebounds at San Jose State. The true freshman is averaging 6.1 points and put up a double-double against SUNO (14pts, 13 rebs).
D'Ante Bell started all ten games and put up a season-high nine points against Millsaps while grabbing a career-high 12 boards against North Dakota. He is averaging 4.2 points per game.
New Orleans is in the top 25 among Division I in free-throw percentage (77.2) and forced turnovers (16.30). The Privateers are scoring 78.9 points per game and shooting 77.2 percent from the foul line in comparison to their opponents at 63.4 percent.
A win over Birmingham-Southern would improve the Privateers' record to 5-6 and 4-0 at the Lakefront.
SCOUTING BIRMINGHAM-SOUTHERN
The Panthers are (4-5, 0-1 SAA) dropping their last game on the road in overtime at Belhaven (78-72). BSC had four players in double-figures with Kaleb Green leading with 19 points. Behind him, was Jay Gillispie with 18 points and 12 boards marking his seventh double-double. Brandan Copeland had 14 points, while Patrick Dylan chipped in ten.
Green leads the Panthers in scoring averaging 18.2 points per game, while Gillispie leads on the boards averaging 11.
13th-year Head Coach Chris Graves has a 189-136 career record at the helm for the Panthers.
SERIES WITH BIRMINGHAM-SOUTHERN
This game marks the third meeting between the two teams. The Privateers are 1-1 all-time against the Panthers with the series dating back to 2010. New Orleans beat BSC 88-59 at home in its last meeting on the Lakefront February 24,2011.
SOCIAL MEDIA
Fans are encouraged to follow @PrivateersHoops on Twitter, @PrivateersMBB on Instagram, like /PrivateersMBB on Facebook and subscribe to the PrivateerAthletics YouTube channel.
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! To make a direct impact on the student-athlete experience, visit here.
