December 30, 2022

Johnson Shines but UNO Falls at HCU

Despite a blistering performance from Jordan Johnson, New Orleans fell in its Southland conference opener at Houston Christian, 101-96 in overtime.

Johnson, who notched 39 points on 8-of-9 shooting from beyond the arc, kept the Privateers (3-9, 0-1) neck and neck in a shootout.  But HCU matched him, shooting 56% as a team and outrebounding UNO while generally winning the paint.

With just seconds to go, Simeon Kirkland, who had 14 points and 11 rebounds, scored to tie the game and was fouled, but could not convert the free throw, and the game went to overtime.  In the extra session, the Privateers continued to struggle to get stops, and the Huskies outscored them down the stretch for the win.

New Orleans will open its home conference slate next Thursday night against Lamar.