COMMERCE, Tx.-Â
Carlos Hart led the New Orleans men's basketball (8-16, SLC 3-8) in a 89-83 loss at Texas A&M-Commerce Saturday afternoon with a career-high performance against a DI opponent, scoring 21 points, grabbing eight rebounds, and recording two blocks.
Jordan Johnson contributed 18 points, five assists, and four rebounds, while
Jah Short added 13 points, three rebounds, three assists, and two steals. Turk Vincent rounded out the quartet with ten points, one assist, and one rebound.
New Orleans engaged in a back-and-forth battle with A&M-Commerce early on in opening half, managing to maintain a lead that extended to as much as seven points with five minutes remaining. However, Commerce went on a 12-6 run to take their first lead. Despite this, New Orleans fought back, with Short scoring five quick points to knot the game at 38 before halftime. Commerce immediately responded with a layup to take the two-point edge into the locker room.
Carlos Hart led the team with 11 points and 6 rebounds at the break.
The Privateers shot an efficient 53.8% from the field in the first half and 75% from the foul line.
The second half saw the Privateers closely trailing the Lions, briefly taking the lead on two separate occasions. With thirty seconds left, New Orleans was within two points after a layup from Hart. However, a foul by
Mason Jones sent the Lions to the free-throw line, extending their lead to four. New Orleans regained possession but had the ball stolen, leading to a breakaway layup and a six-point lead for Commerce.
Tyson Jackson cut the deficit to two points with a second-chance basket, but with nine seconds remaining and a final foul drawn by the Lions, the game ended with Commerce securing an 89-83 victory.
On the game, New Orleans shot 53% from the field and 85.7% from the FT line. The Privateers also outrebounded the Lions 33-28.
UP NEXT: New Orleans will looks to avenge a home loss to Northwestern State as they travel to Natchitoches Monday for a 6:30 p.m. contest.
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