NEW ORLEANS – The New Orleans Privateers conceded 49 points to the HCU Huskies in the second half of Saturday's contest and were unable to keep up on the scoreboard in an 85-76 loss at Lakefront Arena.
The Huskies shot 52 percent from the field in the second half and took what was a one-point lead at the break and expanded it to as much as 17 points in the final minute of the second half before a late barrage of Privateer three-pointers.
Ryan Bartley and Elijah Brooks combined for 24 points in the second half alone and were two of five Huskies in double figures on the night.
The Privateers opened the game by hitting 14 of their first 22 shots which catapulted them to a 35-29 lead with 2:39 remaining in the first half. From that point, New Orleans hit four of their next 16 shots in the final minutes of the first half and opening stages of the second half.
HCU used that span to surge ahead 58-48 with 10:37 remaining in the contest. The Privateers cut the lead back down to five when
Coleton Benson hit a three-pointer with 6:47 remaining to make the score 65-60 in favor of the Huskies, but HCU used 18 points at the free throw line to stave off a Privateer rally.
Demarco Bethea had 12 points and nine rebounds for the Huskies while Kylin Green added 11 points and nine assists.
INSIDE THE BOX
The Privateers were led by Benson who had 26 points on 9-of-14 from the field.
MJ Thomas had 16 points and seven rebounds.
Jakevion Buckley finished with eight assists and five rebounds on the night.
Irish Coquia had five assists.
NEXT UP
It's a quick turnaround for the Privateers who will play UIW on Monday night at 7 p.m.
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