UNO Cruises Past Xavier

Playing its second game in as many days, New Orleans (3-4) cruised past the NAIA Xavier Gold Rush on Saturday, 79-62.

Facing a sterner test than Eureka provided on Friday, it was still a comfortable victory in which UNO put forth another balanced attack.  Jaylen Key continued his outstanding weekend with a 17-point effort to go along with 6 rebounds.  Bryson Robinson and freshman Ahren Freeman added 14 apiece.

The Privateers head to Baton Rouge for a Tuesday night contest against LSU.

Eureka! Losing Streak Over

Jaylen Key throws down
a second-half dunk

The Privateers (2-4) ended their four-game losing streak with a slaughter over hopelessly overmatched Eureka College at Lakefront Arena by a score of 125-60.

New Orleans struggled early, appearing sluggish out of the gate and actually trailing 12-10 before getting in gear.  UNO led 55-35 at the half and unloaded on the hapless visitors after the break.

The Bucs had an extremely balanced offensive attack led by Charles Bohannon's career high 18 points.  Jaylen Key achieved his first Privateer double double with 15 points and 10 rebounds.  He and Bohannon were joined by many others in double digits, chiefly Gerrale Gates who also had 15, as well as Damion Rosser and Ahren Freeman with 14.  Rodney Carson had 13 and Bryson Robinson 11.

UNO returns to the Lakefront Arena court Saturday on the back end of a back-to-back, taking on the Gold Rush of Xavier at 6 p.m.

Privateers Drop Close One at Hawaii

Sophomore Gerrale Gates

It was a feast or famine defensive effort for New Orleans, and unfortunately for them, in the second half, it was more the latter as the Privateers fell 79-71 at Hawaii.

UNO forced 14 turnovers in the first half, but poor shooting kept them a little bit behind, trailing 31-29 at the break.  In the second half, the turnovers dried up a bit, with the Rainbow Warriors getting more shots and making most of them.  Hawaii shot 55% for the game.

Gerrale Gates had a very strong outing, notching 14 points to go along with 10 rebounds.  Bryson Robinson led the Privateer scoring with 17 points, and Damion Rosser and Troy Green added 13 each.

New Orleans finally returns home for a noon Black Friday contest against Eureka College.

Snake Eyes in Starkvegas

G Bryson Robinson

After a promising start, the Privateers (1-3) took their third straight loss on this road trip, falling in an 82-59 rout to Mississippi State in Starkville.

New Orleans fought the Bulldogs to a 19-19 tie early, but an 11-2 State run gave them control of the game, which they never relinquished.  A 10-point halftime deficit turned ugly in the second half, with UNO falling behind by as many as 28.

Bryson Robinson and Troy Green each had 14 to lead a fairly anemic offensive attack.  The Privateers shot just 38% from the field, 2-of-11 on threes, and were dominated 45-27 on the boards.

After a week off, UNO takes its road show to Hawaii on November 24 for the final game of the trip.

Mustangs Slam Privateers

Guard Troy Green

New Orleans fought hard, and even led for a solid portion of the first half, but was ultimately outgunned by the AAC's SMU Mustangs on Tuesday night, 77-64.

The Privateers (1-2), playing the second game a four-game road trip, got out to an early 14-5 lead at Moody Coliseum, and led as late as 26-25 on a Troy Green layup at around the five-minute mark of the first half.  But SMU ripped off 10 points in a row and led 39-33 at the half.

The host Mustangs established control in the second half, breaking down the UNO defense en route to a quick double-digit lead.  The Bucs fought back to a six-point deficit, but an SMU run highlighted by an absolute massacre of a dunk from Feron Hunt put the underdogs away.

The Privateers were hampered by miserable three-point shooting as a team (4-for-24), but Green had a nice night to lead the effort with 20 points to go along with 7 boards.  Gerrale Gates and Damion Rosser had 9 rebounds each.

UNO next heads to Mississippi State for a Sunday afternoon contest.

Butler Schools UNO

G Damion Rosser

After a resounding season opening win, the Privateers (1-1) got punched in the mouth by a Big East opponent, falling 79-53 at Butler.

New Orleans fell behind 23-5 before people even settled into their seats, and despite showing some promising flashes, allowed too many easy opportunities, surrendering 13 layups and 9-of-19 three-point shooting to Butler.

Juniors Damion Rosser and Troy Green led the way for UNO, notching 13 and 12 points respectively.  Last year's Southland Conference freshman of the year Gerrale Gates had 7 rebounds.

Next up on UNO's killer pre-conference schedule is an ESPN3 matchup at SMU on Tuesday night.

Privateers Romp on Opening Night

Amari Haynes throws down
a dunk in the second half

On opening night and homecoming night, the Privateers (1-0) opened the 2019-20 campaign with an easy 114-58 rout over Spring Hill.

Preseason All-Southland selection Bryson Robinson led a balanced New Orleans attack with 22 points, while junior Damion Rosser and sophomore Amari Haynes added 14.  Jahmel Myers and Gerrale Gates had 13 each, and Gates led the way with 7 boards.  Junior Lamont Berzat had a whopping 11 assists.  Freshman Ahren Freeman impressed with 13 of his own in his debut.

The Privateers shot 63% from the floor as a team.

On the downside, Northern Illinois transfer Jaylen Key left the court with an apparent injury after playing just one minute.

UNO, which led 52-29 at the half, did not trail once.

PI Podcast #28: The Top 50, Spots 1-20

Following up on our podcast relaunch three weeks ago, we continue our discussion of UNO's Top 50 men's basketball players of all time, counting down from number 20 all the way to the top of the list.  The nostalgia is especially heavy in this one, as we gear up for a new season of Privateer basketball beginning on Tuesday night at Lakefront Arena.

To listen, get the direct download here.