Denver Finishes 3-0 in Big Easy Classic

Forward Omarion Henry

With a narrow 77-76 victory over host New Orleans, the Denver Pioneers finished a perfect 3-0 run in the Big Easy Classic.

After a slow start that saw Denver open up an early 16-5 lead, the Privateers rallied with their most solid effort of the season to date, taking the lead down the stretch.  But with the game tied at 71 apiece, the Pioneers' Tommy Bruner made six consecutive late free throws to give Denver just enough for the win.

UNO's Omarion Henry, a freshman playing in his sixth college game, led five scorers in double digits with a career-high 17 points.  Khaleb Wilson-Rouse added 16, including four three-pointers.  Justin Mullins led all scorers with 27 for Denver.

The Privateers next take the court next Saturday night at Lakefront Arena against Louisiana Lafayette.

Privateers Outscore IUPUI

K'mani Doughty led UNO
with 20 points

In their second game in the Big Easy Classic, the Privateers (2-3) got their first win over a Division I opponent, edging IUPUI 87-84.

The game was nip-and-tuck throughout, with Bryce Monroe keeping the visiting Jaguars in the game with a brilliant 29-point effort on 13-of-20 shooting.  UNO led 45-42 at the half.

Up 83-81, New Orleans got a critical steal and score from Simeon Kirkland in the waning moments to help seal the victory.

UNO allowed IUPUI to shoot a blistering 64% from the field for the game, but the Privateers shot 53% themselves, including nine three-pointers.

K'mani Doughty and Khaleb Wilson-Rouse each contributed greatly in the second half.  Doughty finished with 20 for the game, and Wilson-Rouse added 16.  Doughty also had 7 rebounds and 5 assists.  Jordan Johnson had 14 points, 6 assists, and 3 steals.  Omarion Henry came off the bench with a solid 11-point, 8-rebound effort.  New Orleans got four three-pointers from Wilson-Rouse and three from Johnson.

The Privateers face Denver on Friday afternoon in their final game in the Big Easy Classic.

In the late game, Denver won its second game in as many days, knocking off The Citadel 74-71 behind Tyree Corbett's 30 points and 12 rebounds.

Bulldogs Rally in the Big Easy

Jordan Johnson led the
way with 17 points

In the first game of the Big Easy Classic at Lakefront Arena, The Citadel put together a 14-0 second half run that made the difference, besting New Orleans 72-65.

The visiting Bulldogs led most of the first half, but the Privateers' small surge near the break gave them a 35-29 lead.  With UNO still up 43-39 in the second half, The Citadel's run, with 10 of the 14 points scored by Austin Ash, gave them the lead for good.

Jordan Johnson led the UNO scoring with 17 points, including a late flurry.  But the Privateers shot just 33% from the field and 5-for-20 from three-point range.

New Orleans will next take on IUPUI tomorrow on the lakefront in a Thanksgiving Day 2 p.m. tilt.

The second game of the day pitted that IUPUI team against UNO's Friday opponent, the Denver Pioneers.  Denver, behind Tevin Smith's 19 points, cruised to a comfortable 86-64 win over the Jaguars.

LSU Drubs UNO

The Privateers (1-2) were never competitive in a 91-62 drubbing in Baton Rouge at the hands of LSU.

UNO took an early 6-2 lead, but LSU ripped off a 9-0 run in response and never looked back.  They led by 22 at the half and were not threatened.

Khaleb Wilson-Rouse was the bright spot for New Orleans, dropping 21 points and five three pointers on the Tigers, as well as leading the team with 8 rebounds.  Tyson Jackson added 14 points.

UNO will next be in action in the Big Easy Classic at Lakefront Arena beginning on Wednesday afternoon.

Privateers Win Turnover Fest

Guard Jordan Johnson

The Privateers (1-1) eked out a sloppy win over non-Division I St. Francis (Illinois) at Lakefront Arena on Homecoming Saturday afternoon, 65-63.

St. Francis was able to stay within striking distance the whole way despite a whopping 33 turnovers.  They trailed UNO just 32-30 at the half and took the lead down the stretch, largely due to carelessness and out-of-sync play by New Orleans as well as a 10-for-24 performance as a team from beyond the arc.

But a three-pointer by Khaleb Wilson-Rouse tied the game back up, and Spencer Simes' free throws put New Orleans ahead for good.

Jordan Johnson and Wilson-Rouse led UNO in scoring with 14 each.

The Privateers will next travel to Baton Rouge for a contest against LSU on November 17.

Lake Not Awakened

In a campus vote held on November 7-8, the students of the University of New Orleans rejected a Student Experience fee that would have gone towards funding football, women's soccer, women's golf, and a marching band as well as various retention and diversity measures and intramural sports enhancements.

The fee went down overwhelmingly, 69% to 31%.

Butler Blasts Privateers To Open Season

UNO's new basketball season began much like the previous one ended, with a noncompetitive loss on the road.

New Orleans (0-1) was never in this one, trailing early to the host Butler Bulldogs, falling behind by double digits and ultimately trailing 46-21 at halftime.  It did not get any better in the second half, and the Privateers fell by an 89-53 final.

Jordan Johnson was a bright spot for UNO, notching 15 points in his debut including 4-for-7 from downtown.  Tyson Jackson added 14 but, in a game where the Privateer bigs were hoping to be a force, only garnered one rebound.  New Orleans was outscored 54-24 in the paint.

The home opener is Saturday afternoon at 4 p.m., homecoming, against St. Francis (Illinois).