Privateers Sweep HBU on Opening Weekend

Turpin tossed a complete
game on Friday night

For the struggling Privateers, 2-9 Houston Baptist was exactly what the doctor ordered on Southland Conference opening weekend.

New Orleans came in with just five wins themselves, but emerged 9-7 and 4-0 in league play after a four game sweep of the Huskies at Maestri Field.

The series began with Chris Turpin pitching his second consecutive gem, this time going the full nine on Friday night in a 3-0 shutout victory.

Willis had Saturday's
game-winning HR

In Saturday's doubleheader, UNO trailed fell behind 6-0 and 9-6 in game one before rallying to tie each time.  But HBU retook the lead at 10-9 heading into the bottom of the ninth.  That's when, with a runner on, Darren Willis showed uncharacteristic power, punching a line drive just over the wall in left center for a two-run walk-off home run.  In the second game, the Privateers had an easier time, winning 8-2 with Salo Iza leading the way, notching three hits and three RBI.  Kyle Khachadourian threw a seven-inning complete game.

In Sunday's game, Gaige Howard's single up the middle in the bottom of the fourth broke a 2-2 tie and gave UNO the lead for good, with the Privateers going on to secure a 9-2 victory to complete the sweep.  Caleb Seroski pitched three innings of scoreless relief for the win.

Hoops Season Ends in Quarterfinals

Farewell? Rosser led the way
in the season's final game
(Courtesy: UNO Athletics)

The Privateers concluded their season in the quarterfinals at the Southland Tournament with a loss to Northwestern State, 82-79.

New Orleans came out the gate sluggish, falling behind by double digits early and shooting poorly.  They were able to fight back and take a one-point lead on a couple of different occasions but just couldn't take control, seeming a step slow defensively and on the boards while playing a second consecutive day.

Damion Rosser, second team all-Southland, capped a fine season with a 28-point effort to lead UNO.  Rodney Carson Jr. had 13, Derek St. Hilaire had 12, and Troy Green 10.

UNO Wins First Game at SLC Tourney

Derek St. Hilaire slams
home the game's first basket
(Courtesy: UNO Athletics)

Playing Southeastern Louisiana for the second time in four days, New Orleans had a much easier time with the Lions this time in an 80-63 victory at the Southland Tournament in Katy, Texas.

The Privateers beat SLU in overtime at Lakefront Arena this past Saturday, but in this rematch, they dominated from the outset.  UNO led 25-10 early, with Derek St. Hilaire's early blazing shooting accounting for 16 of those 25 points.  But several guys got involved as the game went on, maintaining the healthy Privateer lead the entire way.

St. Hilaire finished with 20 points to lead the way, but Damion Rosser added 15 in a fine effort.  Troy Green had 11, Rodney Carson Jr. 10, and Ahren Freeman 10.

UNO will matchup with #4 seed Northwestern State tomorrow at the same time, 5 p.m.  The Privateers and Demons split their two regular season games.

Rough Week For Baseball

Chris Turpin pitched a
gem on Friday night

The Privateers have slipped under .500 after a week in which they lost three out of four.

After beginning the week on Wednesday at Maestri Field with a 5-0 loss to South Alabama, a game in which they had four errors but just two hits, New Orleans defeated Bradley by that same 5-0 score on Friday night at the Maes.  Chris Turpin and Kyle Khachadourian teamed up for a five-hit shutout, with Turpin striking out 11.  Gaige Howard blasted a homer to fuel the offense.

Following that victory, it was all downhill with two clunkers in a row over the weekend.  UNO squandered a 5-0 lead on Saturday, surrendering nine unanswered runs while committing another four errors in a 9-5 defeat at the hands of the Braves.

On Sunday, more shaky defense and another light offensive showing (four hits) led to a 6-3 defeat in the rubber match.

The Privateers (5-6) next take on LSU at Maestri Field on Wednesday night before opening conference play at home on Friday.

Privateers Win Third in a Row

Green led UNO with 24 points

In another down-to-the-wire contest, the Privateers (9-14, 8-7) finished the regular season with a 81-76 overtime victory over Southeastern Louisiana at Lakefront Arena.

The game was tight all the way, with Derek St. Hilaire breaking a 29-29 tie with a three-pointer at the buzzer heading to halftime.  New Orleans opened up a nine-point lead, but it was quickly cut, and Gus Okafor's deep three from the right wing tied the game at 69 with 10.7 seconds left to force overtime.

The extra frame was as tight as regulation, with Damion Rosser putting UNO up for good at 75-74 on a short banked jumper.  Troy Green scored on a drive moments later, and the Privateers were able to hang on and secure the win.

On senior night, Green led UNO with 24, and despite struggling from beyond the arc, Derek St. Hilaire added 19 using an array of drives to get his points.  Rodney Carson Jr. had 11, including a couple of threes.

Either way, New Orleans had the #5 seed sewn up, and they will play the winner of Tuesday's 8/9 game at the Southland Tournament in Katy, Texas on Wednesday at 5 p.m. on ESPN+.

Privateers Exorcise Demons

Back home in Lakefront Arena, New Orleans rode a strong 56-point second half to a narrow victory over Northwestern State, 92-83.

Green led UNO with 19
(Courtesy: UNO Athletics)

Down 43-36 at the break, the Privateers (8-14, 7-7) ripped off 10 straight out of the locker room to take a 46-43 edge.  They fell behind again briefly, but gradually took control down the stretch. using another 7-0 run to take the lead for good.  Unlike Saturday night against Nicholls, UNO was able to withstand a late rally and hold on in the waning moments.

Troy Green paced all Privateer scorers with 19 points.  Joining him in double figures was Rodney Carson Jr. with 16, Damion Rosser 13, and Ahren Freeman 12.  Derek St. Hilaire uncharacteristically struggled from the field but notched 7 assists.  Green also had 7 assists as well as 8 rebounds.

New Orleans will conclude its regular season on Saturday night against Southeastern Louisiana on the lakefront.

Privateers Beat Wounded UIW

Freeman was a perfect
6-for-6 from the field

Already playing without star Keaston Willis, Incarnate Word lost big man Marcus Larsson two minutes into the game and lacked the firepower to stay with visiting New Orleans, who beat them easily, 88-72.

The Cardinals put up a fight for a good portion of the night, pulling to within 51-48 early in the second half.  But UNO had enough, ripping off 14 straight points and putting any doubt to bed.

The balanced Privateer attack was led by Troy Green with 18 points.  Joining him in double figures: Derek St. Hilaire with 16, Ahren Freeman with 14, and Damion Rosser and Kmani Doughty with 11.

UNO (7-14, 6-7) turns around quickly to play Northwestern State at Lakefront Arena on Wednesday night.