NEW ORLEANS – Senior guard
James White scored a career-high 31 points as the University of New Orleans men's basketball team (2-4) defeated the Tulane Green Wave (4-2) in overtime, 93-87, Friday evening at Avron B. Fogelman Arena in the Devlin Fieldhouse.
With the rivalry renewed for the first time in nearly eight years, and coaching his 250th game, head coach
Stacy Hollowell couldn't have asked for a better start from his team. Following a three-pointer from
Dae Dae Hunter and a pair of fast-break layups, UNO led 11-4 at the first media timeout.
With the score 16-12 following a jumper by Kam Williams,
Theo Grant knocked down a three-pointer to start a UNO spurt, giving the Privateers a 23-11 lead at the under-eight-minute media timeout. UNO controlled the first half with a double-digit lead for most of the way, including a 13-point lead with 1:56 to play following an off-balance make by
Luke Davis. A steal at half court by Turk Vincent led to a two-handed dunk by Grant as time expired in the first half, with UNO up 39-27.
The Privateers continued with a double-digit lead for most of the second half, taking a 50-36 lead at the 13:50 mark after
Jah Short stole the ball from Rowan Brumbaugh and then found Hunter in stride, who bounced a pass off the backboard to White for a slam dunk.
The Green Wave slowly chipped away at UNO's lead. With UNO up six,
James White fouled Williams on a three-point attempt. Williams sank his free throw, and suddenly the UNO lead had shrunk to two with 19 seconds to play.
Jacobs made a pair of free throws, expanding the Privateer lead to 79-76 with two seconds left in regulation, seemingly locking up the victory for UNO. However, Vincent fouled Kaleb Banks with 0.9 seconds on the clock, and the junior made all three free throws to send the game to overtime with the score tied at 79.
Tulane took their second lead of the contest early in overtime after Asher Woods found Gregg Glenn III in the paint, 82-81. Once again White responded for the Privateers knocking down a three-pointer and giving the Privateers a lead they did not relinquish. A dunk by Short, and a layup from White would seal the deal for New Orleans, who eventually won by six after outscoring Tulane 14-8 in overtime.
White is the first Privateer in more than 25 years to score 30 or more points against Tulane, surpassing Bo McCalebb's 27-point efforts in both 2006 and 2007. He is also the first Privateer to make 10 or more baskets in a game since
Jordan Johnson recorded 13 against Houston Christian last season.
White now leads the Southland Conference with four 20-point games and is one of only two Southland players to score 30 or more points this season.
Davis had his best game as a Privateer, setting career highs in points (6), rebounds (8), and minutes played (21) off the bench. The Winterville, N.C., native came up with key rebounds and loose balls throughout the second half.
JR Jacobs added 10 points and seven assists, while Hunter scored 15 points, including four made three-pointers.
Tulane was led by Kaleb Banks, who scored 20 points, including a perfect 13-of-13 from the free-throw line. Williams added 19 points and four steals. Asher Woods scored 17, and Rowan Brumbaugh contributed 13, rounding out the double-digit scorers.
New Orleans shot 50% for the game, their best field goal percentage of the season – including 57% in overtime.
This was the seventh overtime meeting between the schools and the first since 1991. UNO now holds a 25-24 advantage in the all-time series, including a 4-3 mark in overtime.
The Privateers are set for a quick turnaround, traveling to Waco, Texas, for a matchup with No. 13 Baylor on Wednesday afternoon at 1 p.m. The game will be streamed on ESPN+ and can be heard on The Ticket 106.1 FM.
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