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.

Purdue Knocks off Privateers

Playing against the top-ranked team in America for the first time in school history, New Orleans was determined but overmatched in a 74-53 loss at Purdue.

UNO stayed close to the Boilermakers early, even taking a 19-17 lead on Tyson Jackson's improbable banked three-point shot from the top of the key.  But Purdue, despite playing without All-American center Zach Edey, ripped off a 24-2 run to end the half to secure the victory, although the Privateers (3-8) fought them to nearly even in the second half.

Jordan Johnson led New Orleans with 17 points, while Jackson added 14.

UNO's non-conference schedule is concluded, and after the Christmas break, they will head to Houston Christian to start Southland play next Friday.

Privateers Fight Off Dillard

The Privateers (3-7) broke open a close game in the second half, then fought off a rally to secure a 79-71 win over Dillard at Lakefront Arena on Monday night.

UNO led by one at the half and maintained that one-point lead at 45-44 before the Privateers ripped off a 14-3 run to get themselves some breathing room.  The NAIA Bleu Devils stormed back to within three at 62-59 but could not complete the comeback.

Jordan Johnson led a balanced New Orleans attack with 18 points, and K'mani Doughty added 17.  Johnson and Doughty drained three treys each.  In the interior, Simeon Kirkland had 12 points and Tyson Jackson 11.  Jackson added 10 rebounds to lead UNO.

The Privateers will turn around and head to West Lafayette, Indiana to take on the top-ranked team in the nation, the Purdue Boilermakers, on ESPNU on Wednesday night.

Boise Blasts UNO

Guard Jordan Johnson

The UNO basketball team finished up a two-game west coast swing with a 91-50 thumping at Boise State.

Coupled with the blowout loss at Portland on Saturday, New Orleans was outscored by a combined 80 points on the trip.

Trailing 42-28 at the half, the Privateers (2-7) surrendered a 20-0 run early in the second half to end any thoughts of challenging the Broncos.

Jordan Johnson led UNO with 14 points but shot just 4-for-13 to get there.  The Privateers shot just 32% as a team.

New Orleans returns home next Monday evening to face Dillard.

UNO Blown Out at Portland

Marquez Cooper

The Privateers (2-6) had another nightmarish night in Portland, getting dismantled by the host Pilots 100-61.

New Orleans, which got blown out by Portland in The Basketball Classic last March, got an even worse beating this season.  UNO actually led 13-11 early on before the Pilots ripped off 11 straight points as part of a decisive 23-4 run, from which the Privateers never recovered.

Portland shot an incredible 13-for-22 from beyond the arc in the first half.  They finished 18-for-35.

Tyson Jackson and Marquez Cooper each led the UNO offense with 10 points each.

The Privateers continue their western road trip on Tuesday at Boise State.

Cajuns Win Late at UNO

Johnson led UNO with 22

Despite a game effort from the underdog Privateers, UL Lafayette eked out a 78-77 win in Lakefront Arena on Saturday afternoon.

The Ragin' Cajuns maintained a small lead for most of the first half, but Jordan Johnson bombed a three at the halftime buzzer to pull New Orleans within 33-32.

UNO nudged ahead early in the second half, but with the Privateers clinging to a 44-42 lead, ULL ripped off a 12-0 run.  The host team fought back and actually took the lead on Johnson's drive and score with just over a minute left.  Then, with the game tied at 74, Johnson drilled a step back three to put UNO ahead with 42 seconds left.

But ULL scored to cut the lead to 77-76, and both teams traded turnovers.  Then Khaleb Wilson-Rouse missed two free throws, Jalen Dalcourt made two, and the Cajuns pulled it off.

Johnson led the UNO scoring with 22 points.  Tyson Jackson had a double-double with 12 points and 10 rebounds, and Simeon Kirkland added 12 as well.  Sackey had 7 assists.

New Orleans will next head to Portland in a week for a quick two-game west coast road trip.