NEW ORLEANS, LA. - With a 35-point effort from
Jordan Johnson and a career-high night from
Khaleb Wilson-Rouse, New Orleans men's basketball (7-12, 2-4 Southland) fell at Houston Christian (5-12, 3-2 Southland), 88-80, Monday night.
Tyson Jackson surpassed 1,000 career points with eight points and four rebounds. The senior from Atlanta, Ga., is the second Privateer this season to reach the milestone.
The Privateers took a ten-point lead in the opening half due to Wilson-Rouse's hot start. The Chicago native scored 13 quick points with nine coming from three long range buckets, while Johnson added 10 points. The Privateers were strong on offensive boards out-rebounding the Huskies 9-2. They also forced eight turnovers to hold off the home team and closeout the half 38-34.
The second half was a tale of runs that resulted in a Southland shoot-out within the remaining five minutes. The Huskies jumped out to a lead, but a combination of Wilson-Rouse drives and mid-range jumpers helped keep the Privateers within strike. At the 12-minute mark, the Privateers trailed by 10 and Johnson, who scored 25 points in the half, began to heat up. Over the next three minutes, the Privateers held the Huskies to two points while Johnson scored 10 of the 12 points that gave the Silver and Blue a one-point lead, 60-59.
From there, both teams traded leads with Johnson and HCU's Marcus Greene indulging in an all-out 3-point dual at one point.
In just under four minutes, Johnson drained a three-pointer that he followed up with an assist to
Tyson Jackson for two points, but the Huskies responded with two three-pointers to help pull away.
In the final minute and a half, Johnson connected on his fourth and final three-pointer and Wilson-Rouse cashed in on one-of-two free-throws, but it wasn't enough to overtake the Huskies.
Johnson shot 13-of-33 from the field, 4-of-10 from long-range, and 5-of-7 from the charity stripe in his sixth game with 30 or more points. He also grabbed five rebounds, three assists and two steals.
Behind him, Wilson-Rouse matched his career-high for the third time this season with 22 points and a team-best six rebounds.
Jah Short accounted for nine points off the bench.
The Privateers out-rebounded the Huskies 16-8 offensively, shot 40.5% from the field and 59.1% from the charity stripe.
The HCU Huskies shot 58.5% from the field putting forth a balanced scoring effort with five student-athletes in double-figures.
NEXT UP: The Privateers will head to Lake Charles to take on the only undefeated team in the Southland: The McNeese Cowboys. Tip-off is slated for 4 p.m., and the game will be live broadcast on 106.1 NASH FM with Jude Young on the call.
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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!
