NEW ORLEANS –
Coleton Benson had a three-pointer from beyond half court that just missed what would have been a game continuing shot as the New Orleans Privateers fell on the short end of a 66-63 decision against the McNeese Cowboys on Saturday at Lakefront Arena.
The Privateers were up in the late stages of the game. A
Jakevion Buckley floater put New Orleans up 63-60 with 2:32 remaining. The Cowboys scored on their next possession to cut the Privateer lead to one.
The loss along with wins by Texas A&M-Corpus Christi, Nicholls and UTRGV means the Privateers are back in a three-way tie for fourth place in the conference standings. The four-seed would get the final first round bye in the tournament.
Nobody made a field goal for nearly the rest of regulation. The only point until three seconds remaining was a free throw from Carl Cherenfant that tied the game inside the final minute.
New Orleans had two looks to take the lead but could not connect and the Cowboys called timeout after securing the rebound. Then, Tyshawn Archie drove to the rim and scored on a layup with 2.7 seconds left.
The Privateers turned it over on the inbound pass and had to foul in the final seconds. They sent Jerrell Colbert to the line who split a pair of free throw trips that put the Cowboys up three.
Then Benson caught the inbound pass and launched a three that just missed as the Cowboys held through what was a close game throughout in front of a raucous crowd of over 1,000 fans.
McNeese got to a double digit lead late in the first half, but 10 points was the largest margin at any point in the game. The Privateers controlled the glass as they out-rebounded McNeese 43-32, but the Cowboys won the turnover battle by committing eight fewer turnovers.
Larry Johnson scored 17 points but was held to one point in the second half by a Privateer defense that leads the league in opponent field goal percentage since conference play started. Archie also finished with 17 points.
INSIDE THE BOX
Kedrick Osby had his biggest offensive output of the season with 16 points to lead the Privateers. Benson wound up with 10 points and five rebounds.
Churchill Abass had nine points and 10 boards.
MJ Thomas finished with eight points and nine rebounds.
NEXT UP
The Privateers conclude the regular season on Monday against Southeastern.
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