New Orleans Topped by McNeese Despite Johnson's 26 Points in Regular Season Finale

LAKE CHARLES - The shorthanded University of New Orleans men's basketball program built a 15-point lead in the second half but a desperate McNeese came back to take a 80-73 decision Wednesday night at the Legacy Center.

The Privateers conclude the regular season 10-19 on the season and 7-11 in the conference. 

Junior Jordan Johnson led with another 26-point game. He was 9-of-14 from the floor and 6-of-9 from long distance. 

Khaleb Wilson-Rouse scored to put the Privateers ahead 63-60 with 7:11 left, but it was the Cowboys that answered with a 22-13 run.

New Orleans led for over 31 minutes in the contest.

It was a battle of the boards defensively for the Privateers who limited the Cowboys to a 30.6 percent clip from the field in the first half but 62.1 percent in the second. McNeese also outrebounded New Orleans 47-24 and cashed in on 16 second chance points. The home team also found a way to get to the free throw line more and was 17-of-26 compared to New Orleans' 11-of-13.

Johnson was one of two Privateers in double-figures. Junior Wilson-Rouse tallied 17 points and a team-high three assists while senior Marquez Cooper had a team-high six rebounds. 
 
New Orleans outscored McNeese from the perimeter going 10-of-20 compared to 5-of-22 on their end.
 
The Cowboys were guided by Zach Scott's 18 points. The entire starting five for McNeese scored in double-figures.
 
The Privateers led 11-6 early after a 3PT jumper from Johnson in the first half. They extended it to 22-12 at the 10:56 mark on a made FT by Cooper.
 
Still ahead 21-12, New Orleans used a 13-5 spurt to make it a 32-17 game with 7:38 remaining. It included a pair of threes and a jumper by Johnson and a layup by Omar Henry.
 
The Cowboys attempted to get back in it with an even 22-22 run to cut the deficit to 42-29 heading into the locker room. 

New Orleans extended it's lead to 45-32 in the second half but McNeese chipped away at the deficit by going on a 28-18 run to tie the game at 60.

McNeese chipped away at the deficit and got it back into single figures 56-48 at the midway point. A jumper by Johnathan Massie put McNeese ahead 71-69 with 3:36 remaining, and while the Privateers rallied back-and-forth within a seven-point trail, they could not overcome the home team. 
 
UP NEXT: The Privateers will play at the 7^th seed against 6^th seed HCU on Sunday, March 5 at 7:30 p.m. to advance within the Southland Conference Tournament.