NEW ORLEANS – The New Orleans Privateers men's basketball team returns home for a Saturday battle against Northwestern State before traveling to Commerce to face East Texas A&M on Monday night. The home tilt is scheduled for a 5 p.m. tip.
The Privateers put together a strong showing as they split the season series with Nicholls after an 80-62 win on Tuesday afternoon. New Orleans moved to 6-6 in conference and is a game out of tying for third place, which is currently shared by Nicholls and Texas A&M-Corpus Christi.
Churchill Abass has been involved on both ends of the floor over the last five games. He is averaging 14.6 points and averaging 7.6 rebounds per game. Abass is also shooting 76.9 percent from the field (30-for-39) in that stretch. 14 of those 30 made baskets have been dunks.
New Orleans had their biggest rebounding margin against a Div. I opponent since 2005 (San Jose State) when they out-rebounded the Colonels 48-28 on Tuesday.
In Southland play, New Orleans has been one of the better rebounding teams. They are second in total rebounds (37.7), fourth in offensive rebounds (12.3) and fourth in rebounding margin (+3.2).
Jakevion Buckley had six steals on Tuesday against Nicholls. It tied his career-high and was his most in a game against a D-I opponent. Buckley last had six steals on Dec. 5, 2022 when he did it against Our Lady of the Lake while at Lamar. Buckley is averaging 2.0 steals per game, which ranks second in the Southland only behind Sincere Malone of Nicholls (2.1).
New Orleans lost at Northwestern State after the Demons rallied from an early second half deficit to snag a 74-68 decision. The Privateers defeated East Texas A&M 83-73 in their first meeting this season at Lakefront Arena.
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Northwestern State has been involved in a lot of tight games and has found themselves on the wrong side of the scoreboard of late. The Demons are 4-7 in league play and have lost their last three, all by two points. Micah Thomas leads the conference in free throw percentage at 93.6 and his 17.0 points per game rank fifth in the league.
East Texas A&M is 3-8 in Southland play and is a game behind Northwestern State, who currently holds the last spot. The Lions have the most assists per game of anyone in the conference at 16.9. Ronnie Harrison ranks in the top ten in the Southland in points (15.1) and rebounds (6.2).
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