New Orleans Stuns Lamar in 13-Point Upset

In a shocking turn of events, the New Orleans Privateers handed the Lamar Cardinals a 13-point defeat, 89-76, at the Lakefront Arena on January 19. This upset victory was a significant statement for the Privateers, who were predicted to lose by 2.9 points according to CHD Scout's pre-game forecast. Instead, they dominated the Cardinals, outscoring them 41-36 in the first half and 48-40 in the second.

The Privateers' win was fueled by the outstanding performance of MJ Thomas, who scored 20 points and grabbed 9 rebounds. Thomas was complemented by Churchill Abass, who also scored 20 points, and Jakevion Buckley, who dished out 8 assists to go along with his 13 points. The trio's impressive display was too much for the Cardinals to handle, as they struggled to contain the Privateers' balanced attack.

On the other side, Lamar's Braden East put up a valiant effort, scoring 26 points and pulling down 11 rebounds. East's performance was matched by Andrew Holifield, who added 20 points, and Cody Pennebaker, who contributed 13 points, 5 rebounds, and 5 assists. However, despite their best efforts, the Cardinals were unable to overcome the Privateers' relentless pressure and accurate shooting.

The Privateers' upset win has real consequences for both teams' tournament chances. For New Orleans, this victory is a much-needed Quad 4 win, which could help bolster their resume come selection time. On the other hand, Lamar's loss is a Quad 3 defeat, which may hinder their chances of securing a tournament bid. The Cardinals, who were predicted to win by a narrow margin, will have to regroup and reassess their strategy after this unexpected setback.

The CHD Scout prediction, which had Lamar winning by 2.9 points, was inaccurate, as the Privateers' convincing win defied expectations. This result serves as a reminder that upsets can happen at any time in college basketball, and teams must be prepared to face unexpected challenges.

As the season progresses, the Privateers want to build on this momentum, while the Cardinals will aim to bounce back from this disappointing loss. For now, the New Orleans team can savor this impressive upset victory, which will undoubtedly be a highlight of their season. With this win, the Privateers have proven that they can compete with and beat teams that are considered to be stronger, and they want to carry this confidence into their future games. The loss, on the other hand, will be a tough pill for the Cardinals to swallow, and they must quickly recover and refocus if they hope to achieve their tournament aspirations.