NEW ORLEANS – The New Orleans Privateers got out to a big lead and held off a second half rally before pulling away in the final two minutes to an 83-73 win over the East Texas A&M Lions on Monday night at Lakefront Arena.
The Privateers (5-10, 3-3) led by 10 early and had a lead as big as 15 with 5:53 remaining in the contest. That's when the Lions commenced a run that cut the Privateer advantage down to three points. Ronnie Harrison scored the next 10 points and the Lions (6-10, 1-5) trailed 69-66 with 2:09 remaining.
That's when
Jakevion Buckley created space for a jumper that he hit on the next possession to put the Privateers back up by five.
MJ Thomas then had a second chance bucket on the next possession to extend the lead to seven.
New Orleans took care of business at the free throw line as they hit all 10 of their attempts in the final minute to close out what is the largest margin of victory in the seven-game series.
The Privateer defense shut down the Lions early on as the visitors only made two of their first 16 shots in the opening nine minutes of the game. The Privateers used that stretch to steadily build a 15-5 advantage.
New Orleans led by as many as 12 points in the first half behind six early points from
Irish Coquia who made his first start of the season. The Lions chipped away steadily and got the deficit to as small as six points which is what it stood at halftime with the Privateers leading 38-32.
Harrison had 29 points and 12 rebounds for the Lions. Damian Garcia added 18 points and five rebounds.
INSIDE THE BOX
New Orleans held a 50-34 advantage on the glass and that was keyed by Thomas who had 19 rebounds, a new career-high to go along with 12 points.
Coleton Benson went 10-of-11 from the free throw line and added 17 points.
Enzo Boudouma finished with 11 points. Buckley added nine points and nine assists.
NEXT UP
The Privateers will face Nicholls on Saturday with tip scheduled for 5 p.m.
BLUES ON TUES. NEWSLETTER
To keep up with all athletics news at the University of New Orleans, subscribe
here for our weekly newsletter.
SOCIAL MEDIA
Fans are encouraged to follow @PrivateesrHoops on
Twitter and
Instagram, like /PrivateersHoops on Facebook and subscribe to the
PrivateerAthletics YouTube channel.
