THIBODAUX, La. –
Churchill Abass had 20 points and four New Orleans Privateers scored in double figures as they put away the Nicholls Colonels 80-62 on Tuesday afternoon at Stopher Gym.
New Orleans shot 47.4 percent from the field for the game, but it was the defense that set the tone early and the efficient shooting inside from Abass and
MJ Thomas that helped put the Privateers back at .500 in conference play.
Abass went a perfect 8-for-8 with 20 points and he added eight rebounds along with three blocks. The Privateers also enjoyed a massive advantage on the glass by out-rebounding the Colonels 48-28. It was the largest rebounding margin by a Privateers squad since 2017 against Oklahoma Panhandle State.
The Privateers came out of the gate strong behind strong ball movement and the floor spacing provided by
Kedrick Osby. New Orleans had four dunks in the first half alone and had nine assists on 13 made baskets.
Also, Osby was very efficient from three-point range as he hit three triples and tied his season-best 11 points by halftime. He was 3-for-4 from three-point range and the Privateers went to the half with a 39-29 lead.
In the first 20 minutes, New Orleans forced 11 Nicholls turnovers and held the Colonels to just 37.9 percent from the field.
Zee Hamoda finished with a team-high 19 points for the Colonels. Jalik Dunkley added 13 points.
INSIDE THE BOX
Osby finished with 13 points for the Privateers, a new season-high. Thomas was 5-for-8 from the field and had 16 points along with seven rebounds.
Jakevion Buckley finished with 14 points, six assists and six steals. The six steals tied the most by a Southland player this season.
NEXT UP
The Privateers will host Northwestern State on Saturday at 5 p.m.
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