NEW ORLEANS – The New Orleans Privateers men's basketball team will host the current Southland leaders in Nicholls on Saturday evening at Lakefront Arena before making the trip to Hammond for a road game at Southeastern on Monday night.
New Orleans (5-10, 3-3) leveled their conference record after an 83-73 win against East Texas A&M on Jan. 5.
MJ Thomas pulled down a career-high 19 rebounds and the Privateers used free throws late to secure the victory. New Orleans went 10-for-10 from the free throw line in the final minute of the game.
The Privateers have steadily lowered their turnover numbers. In their last four games, New Orleans has averaged 11.5 turnovers contrasted with their first 11 games when they averaged 15.4 turnovers a game. Monday's game against East Texas A&M marked the fourth time this season the Privateers committed 10 or fewer turnovers in a game.
Thomas has a double-double in back-to-back games, the first Privateer this season to accomplish that feat. He has three this season and nine for his career in a Privateer uniform. Since league play began, Thomas is tied for first in rebounds per game at 9.5 with Braden East (Lamar).
Irish Coquia and Jamal Chretien each got their first start in a Privateer uniform. They combined to log 47 minutes in Monday's win against East Texas A&M.
Between the two players they committed just one turnover and contributed 13 points in the winning effort against East Texas A&M. They became the ninth and tenth different players to start a game for UNO this year.
The Privateers narrowly trail the all-time series 22-21 against Nicholls. In the all-time series against Southeastern, New Orleans leads 18-16.
ABOUT THE OPPONENTS
Nicholls (7-6, 6-0) has narrowly avoided their first defeat on three different occasions. Three of the last four Colonels wins have come by five points or fewer including a 74-72 win against Northwestern State. Jalik Dunkley is the reigning Southland Player of the Week and the Colonels' leading scorer and rebounder (13.7 points, 6.9 rebounds).
Southeastern (5-10, 2-4) won 60-52 against Lamar on Monday night. Jeremy Elyzee is the team's leading scorer and ranks 20
th in the Southland at 11.7 points per game. Isaiah Gaines averages 5.5 rebounds per game which puts him 10
th in the conference heading into Saturday.
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