Four players scored in double digits as the New Orleans Privateers secured a 75-64 victory over the Northwestern State Demons at Lakefront Arena on Saturday. The win allowed New Orleans to finish January with a positive result and improve their conference record to 7-6.
The Privateers gained control late in the first half after a scoring run put them ahead. They led 33-30 at halftime, but Northwestern State responded by scoring the first eight points of the second half to take the lead. Following a timeout, New Orleans regrouped, with Jakevion Buckley and Kedrick Osby each contributing 11 points in the second half.
Turnovers were an issue early for New Orleans, who committed ten in the first half but limited themselves to just three in the second. Osby hit consecutive three-pointers that gave his team a 39-38 lead with under 17 minutes left. The Privateers maintained their advantage for the rest of the game, leading by as many as eleven points twice.
Northwestern State narrowed the gap to four points with just over two minutes remaining, but Buckley made four free throws down the stretch. Coleton Benson added a three-pointer and Churchill Abass delivered a dunk that sealed the outcome.
New Orleans went on a nine-point run midway through the first half to take an 18-12 lead, with contributions from four different players. They also dominated rebounding in that period, holding a 22-12 edge and limiting Northwestern State to 34 percent shooting from the field.
Micah Thomas led all scorers for Northwestern State with 20 points; his team shot 51 percent in the second half.
Jakevion Buckley finished with 18 points, seven rebounds and six assists for New Orleans. Benson and Osby each scored 13 points while Abass had ten points along with seven rebounds and two blocks. The Privateers held an advantage of 18-6 in second chance points and out-rebounded Northwestern State by twelve boards (40-28).
The Privateers will next face East Texas A&M on Monday night.
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