Privateers Humbled at SFA

Thomas' 23 points led UNO

Though they entered the game in first place, the Privateers (12-8, 7-2) were taken to school by the team that has won the conference the last four seasons, falling at SFA, 71-61.

The Lumberjacks, who won their 43rd consecutive conference home game, outclassed New Orleans in every phase, blasting a careless UNO team from the get-go with a balanced offensive attack to go with swarming defensive pressure.  SFA led 15-5 early and were never seriously threatened.

Erik Thomas' strong effort was the only bright spot for New Orleans, with the conference leading scorer garnering 23 points on the night.   The Bucs remain in a tie for first place with Sam Houston State, though the Bearkats won at UNO earlier this season.

New Orleans will try to split the two-game Texas road trip this Wednesday at Abilene Christian.  UNO beat the Wildcats 75-66 at Lakefront Arena in the conference opener on December 29.

UNO at SFA: Our Q&A at The Sawmill

With a battle looming at William R. Johnson Coliseum in Nacogdoches on Saturday between first-place New Orleans and long-time Southland Conference power Stephen F. Austin, our @UNOPrivatr had a chat with The Sawmill about this mid-season clash.

Privateers Coast, Trounce McNeese

SLC leading scorer
Erik Thomas

With a showdown at Stephen F. Austin looming on Saturday, the Privateers (12-7, 7-1) first took care of business at home on Thursday, hammering struggling McNeese by a 75-56 count.

New Orleans did not appear to be looking ahead, exploding to a 40-22 halftime lead, shooting 56% and turning the ball over just three times.  Although the second half got ragged at times, UNO was never threatened and coasted home to the victory.

As typical for this season, Southland scoring leader Erik Thomas led the way in scoring with 17 to go along with 7 boards.  Michael Zeno had 11, and Nate Frye and Travin Thibodeaux added 10 each.

ESPN3 will carry the contest against the Lumberjacks on Saturday. SFA has dominated the conference over the past several seasons and reached the round of 32 in last year's NCAA Tournament, but have appeared vulnerable at times this season. New Orleans will enter Nacogdoches in first place.

UNO Keeps First Place with Win at UCA

Thibodeaux had a double-
double for UNO at UCA

With many expecting a shootout, the Privateer defense made the difference in a 81-63 road win for New Orleans (11-7, 6-1) at Central Arkansas.  The win kept UNO in first place in the Southland Conference.

Up 56-51 in the second half, UNO pulled away to a 75-56 lead while allowing only five points to the Bears' potent offense over a critical seven-minute span. Nate Frye and Erik Thomas led the way with 16 each for the Privateers, and Travin Thibodeaux delivered a double-double with 12 points and 12 rebounds.  Tevin Broyles added 12 points and 4 assists.

UCA star Jordan Howard was held to 14 points, many coming late.

New Orleans next returns home for a Thursday night contest against McNeese State.

Back on Track: UNO beats HBU

Guard Nate Frye

After dropping its first Southland contest a week ago, the Privateers (10-7, 5-1) held onto first place with a 72-64 victory over Houston Baptist at Lakefront Arena on Thursday.

Senior guard Nate Frye led a balanced New Orleans scoring attack with 15 points, and UNO, which led by 11 at the break, used a massive free throw advantage to fend off a Huskie second half rally.  HBU's Colter Lasher drained a three from the corner to cut the UNO lead to 54-53 but could get no closer.

Christavious Gill added 14 points, Erik Thomas 12, and Travin Thibodeaux 10.  New Orleans attempted 44 free throws on the night, making 29.  Houston Baptist was 11-for-14.

The Privateers will next head to Conway for a Saturday afternoon battle against Central Arkansas.

You Make The Call

Here's the video of Nate Frye's offensive rebound and tie-up with 1.6 seconds left at the end of Thursday night's loss to Sam Houston.  Foul or legit jump ball?

Bearkats Burst Our Bubble

Thomas' potential game-tying
free throw missed with 3.4 left

Entering Thursday's game at Lakefront Arena with its best conference start since 1992-93, the Privateers (9-7, 4-1) were brought down to earth by Sam Houston State, a team it hasn't beaten since entering the Southland Conference four seasons ago.  Though UNO rallied furiously late, they ultimately fell short by a 70-68 count.

New Orleans trailed by 12 at the break and spent most of the second half trading baskets with the preseason league favorite Bearkats.  The Bucs began slowly chipping away down the stretch, finally tying the score on a Travin Thibodaux three-point play with just over a minute left.

But the Bearkats quickly went back in front and then, with 3.4 seconds left, Erik Thomas, who shot 11-for-12 from the foul line and led New Orleans with 25 points, missed a potential game-tying free throw.  Nate Frye got the offensive rebound but was tied up, and the Bearkats had the possession arrow.

UNO gets a week off before returning to its home court next Thursday against Houston Baptist.

4-0: Privateers Win Again at UIW

Senior F Erik Thomas

New Orleans (9-6, 4-0) kept their hold on first place in the young Southland Conference season, winning another road game at Incarnate Word, 87-72.

Erik Thomas, after being held well below his average at Lamar on Thursday, returned to form with a 28-point outing, leading a robust Privateer offense that featured five in double figures.  Tevin Broyles and Christavious Gill had 14, Travin Thibodeaux 13, and Makur Puou 12. Thibodeaux led the rebounding effort with 10, notching a double-double.

UNO led 44-38 at the break and maintained a small but steady lead throughout most of the second half before closing strong and surging into a double-digit lead. They shot 56% from the field and 86% from the foul line while committing just nine turnovers.

New Orleans will put its undefeated conference mark to the test in its next game on Thursday, taking on Sam Houston State at Lakefront Arena. UNO has not beaten Sam Houston since it entered the Southland Conference in 2013-14.

Privateers Gut Out A Win in Beaumont

Travin Thibodeaux

For the second straight game, the Privateers (8-6, 3-0) found a way to win in overtime, this time 66-62 at Lamar.  It is their fourth consecutive win overall.

Both Erik Thomas and Christavious Gill were held under their averages (11 and 10 points respectively) but Travin Thibodeaux led the way with 14 points and 5 assists. New Orleans led most of the way but fell behind 57-55 with under a minute left.  Then Gill, who shot just 3-for-17, nailed a critical three to put UNO up. Former Privateer Colton Weisbrod tied it with a free throw for Lamar, sending the game to overtime.

Weisbrod, who was a force in the second half for the Cardinals, fouled out at the beginning of overtime on a charge call.

For his part, though UNO's Thomas was blanketed most of the night, he did manage to grab 10 rebounds for a double-double.

New Orleans travels to Incarnate Word on Saturday to complete this week's road swing.