New Orleans Men's Basketball Falls Short in Hard-Fought Battle Against Corpus Christi

CORPUS CHRISTI, Tx. - Despite a valiant effort, the University of New Orleans men's basketball team (9-21, SLC 4-13) fell short in a tough battle against Texas A&M-Corpus Christi, ultimately losing 73-60, but they remain tied for eighth with HCU in the Southland Conference rankings.

Leading the charge for New Orleans, Jordan Johnson scored 16 points and dished out three assists, while Carlos Hart contributed 15 points and grabbed seven rebounds, shooting a perfect 7-of-7 from the foul line.

The game started with both teams trading baskets, with Johnson leading for New Orleans with ten points in the first half. James Glisson III's consecutive three-pointers narrowed the deficit after the Privateers were down by seven. At halftime, New Orleans trailed closely at 32-30, with Johnson's second three-pointer of the night helping keep the team efficient from long range at 50% on 5-of-10 attempts.

In the second half, the Privateers quickly responded to the deficit, with Khaleb Wilson-Rouse hitting a crucial three-pointer to take a one-point lead. However, the Islanders countered with a short spurt, extending their lead to six points before Mason Jones scored his first points of the night from long range. Despite a strong effort from the free-throw line shooting 91%, and contributions from Jones, Johnson, Hart, and Short, bringing the Privateers within three points within the final ten minutes, the Islanders went 9-of-12 from the field in the closing minutes to secure the victory.

New Orleans shot 32% from the field and 47% from the arc, with Johnson, Wilson-Rouse, and Glisson III each making two three-pointers apiece.

UP NEXT: New Orleans will conclude the regular season at home against McNeese State Wednesday. Tip-off is scheduled for 7 p.m.

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