COMMERCE, Tx.- A career night from Turk Vincent and six Privateers in double-figures led New Orleans to an 84-78 victory over Texas A&M-Commerce Thursday night at the Field House. The win ended a nine-game losing streak for New Orleans.
New Orleans had one of its best first halves shooting 64.5 percent from the field at 20-of-31. Within the first four minutes, Turk Vincent rattled in a second-chance basket to give New Orleans its first lead of the game, and from there, the Privateers hit the gas. They extended the lead as far as 16 points but ended the half 50-38 with Vincent and
Jordan Johnson in double-figures at 13 and 11 points.
With the Lions being known for comeback-wins, the Privateers were well prepared for their ten-point surge to start the second half that cut the game to 56-48.
New Orleans was efficient at answering each of the Lions' attempts to close the gap and kept them from truly breaking the 10-point threshold standing between them until the four-minute mark.
With a couple of made free-throws and a driving layup, the Lions cut the game to three-points, but again, the Privateers answered: this time with four made free-throws from Wilson-Rouse, Doughty, and Vincent and a layup from Omar Henry to put New Orleans back up by nine (81-72).
The Lions made two jumpers from long distance in hopes of getting a home victory, but another two made free-throws from Vincent down the stretch closed out the game 84-78.
Vincent led the Privateers on both ends of the court with 20 points, eight rebounds, three assists, one block and two steals to earn Player of the Game.
Jordan Johnson returned to the hardwood and did not disappoint with 14 points and five assists. Khaleb Wilson-Rouse put up 11 points and four assists. Tyson Jackson, K'mani Doughty, and Marquez Cooper all contributed 10 points apiece to help put the Privateers back in the win column. D'ante Bell and Omar Henry also put points up for New Orleans.
NEXT UP: The Privateers head to Natchitoches to face the Northwestern State Demons.
