UNO Wins OT Heart-Stopper, Starts 2-0

Senior G Nate Frye

Looking to make a statement early in the Southland Conference season against Texas A&M-Corpus Christi, the Privateers (7-6, 2-0) did so in nerve-wracking fashion, securing a 73-72 overtime victory at Lakefront Arena.

Nate Frye, who notched a career-high 27 points to go along with 9 rebounds, led the way for New Orleans. His driving layup put UNO ahead 61-59 with four seconds left in regulation, but TAMU-CC's Ehad Amin went coast-to-coast for an uncontested driving layup of his own to tie the game at the buzzer and send the game to overtime.

Amin, who led TAMU-CC with 25 points, led an Islanders comeback from a nine-point halftime deficit, but his running one-hander, which would have won the game in overtime, missed at the buzzer.  Preseason Southland first teamer Rashawn Thomas, a longtime UNO tormenter, added 23, 19 of which came after halftime.

New Orleans also got 17 points apiece from seniors Erik Thomas and Christavious Gill.

New Orleans travels to Lamar on Thursday for its first conference road game of the year.

Privateers Take Conference Opener

Erik Thomas continues
to do Erik Thomas things

Looking to make a statement in the first week of conference play at Lakefront Arena, the Privateers (6-6, 1-0) rallied to take the league opener over Abilene Christian, 75-66.

New Orleans, despite a 16-8 foul advantage and many free throw attempts, trailed by nine at the break, but surged in the second half behind reliable senior Erik Thomas.  Thomas posted yet another fine effort with 24 points, the majority coming in that second half and many down the stretch.

Now UNO will welcome Texas A&M-Corpus Christi to the lakefront on New Year's Eve afternoon. The Islanders, one of the best teams in the Southland, stand in the way of a 2-0 start for the Bucs.

Bucs Avoid Upset With Late Surge

Jorge Rosa had his UNO
career best with 16 points

The Privateers and non-Division I Williams Baptist were tied at 54 as late as the 12:31 mark of the second half before New Orleans (5-6) surged ahead for good in its final non-conference game of the season.  They won going away, 91-74.

UNO, playing its third game in five days after tough losses to UL-Lafayette and Utah State on Saturday and Monday, appeared to lack focus early on and had 13 turnovers at the half. Williams Baptist closed the frame on a 10-0 run to draw within 43-42 at the break.  But with another strong effort from Erik Thomas (21 points), as well as a season high from newcomer Jorge Rosa with 16, the Privateers fought off the upset bid by the visitors with a late second half surge. They led by as many as 22 down the stretch.

New Orleans has an eight-day layoff before opening conference play at Lakefront Arena next Thursday against Abilene Christian. It will be a doubleheader with the women's team, who will be taking on Crowley's Ridge.

Utah State Fights off Privateers

The Privateers (4-6) spent the entire evening within striking distance of the host Utah State Aggies, but could not quite overcome them, eventually falling 76-66.

New Orleans trailed by two at the half, fell behind by nine early on in the second half, then hit a run to get back to within 50-49 before the Aggies gradually broke them down.  Erik Thomas just surpassed his scoring average to lead the way for the Privateers with 21 points.  He just missed another double-double with 9 rebounds.

UNO completes its nonconference schedule with a home game on Wednesday night against Williams Baptist.

ULL Ekes Out Win at UNO

Forward Erik Thomas

The Privateers (4-5) led 66-59 with just under six minutes left, but Louisiana-Lafayette's Jay Wright would not be denied down the stretch, lifting the Ragin' Cajuns on his shoulders to a 76-71 win.  ULL scored the last eight points of the game.

Wright had 27 points on the afternoon for the Cajuns, who led 56-50 before New Orleans went on a tear to establish the lead heading towards the finish line. Erik Thomas posted yet another double-double with 19 points and 12 rebounds, shooting 7-for-7 from the field.

UNO returns to action at Utah State on Monday night before returning to Lakefront Arena on December 21 for a final pre-conference tuneup against Williams Baptist.

Privateers Crash at Northwestern

The Privateers (4-4) came back down to earth off of a three-game winning streak in Evanston on Sunday night, falling to Northwestern of the Big 10, 83-49.  New Orleans, which had not trailed in its last three games, never led in this one.

UNO managed just 18 field goals against 21 turnovers and could never get on track against Northwestern's rigid defense. Erik Thomas, however, did notch another double-double, leading the way with 17 points and 10 rebounds.

The Privateers return to action back home at Lakefront Arena next Saturday at 2 p.m. to host Louisiana Lafayette.

Privateers Stun Wazzu in Pullman

The Privateers (4-3) extended their winning streak to three and haven't trailed at any point this week, going wire-to-wire once again in a dominating 70-54 win at Washington State.

New Orleans got another double-double from Erik Thomas (17 points/10 rebounds) as well as 16 from a red-hot Travin Thibodeaux.  Christavious Gill led the scoring with 18, including multiple very deep threes.

UNO has an eight-day break before travelling back to Northwestern to take on the Big 10's Wildcats for the second straight season. Last year, the Privateers fell in Evanston by a 90-63 tally.