New Orleans' Coleton Benson stole the show at The Field House, scoring 34 points and dishing out 5 assists to lead his team to a 94-85 victory over East Texas A&M. The Privateers' high-powered offense was on full display, as they built a 17-point halftime lead and never looked back. East Texas A&M's Gianni Hunt did his best to keep his team in the game, scoring 23 points and adding 6 assists, but it wasn't enough to overcome the deficit.
The first half was all New Orleans, as they shot out to a 52-35 lead behind Benson's 20 points. The Privateers' offense was clicking on all cylinders, with Enzo Boudouma and Churchill Abass chipping in with 8 and 7 points, respectively. East Texas A&M, on the other hand, struggled to find its rhythm, with Hunt and Ronnie Harrison accounting for 15 of their team's 35 points.
In the second half, East Texas A&M made a push to get back in the game, outscoring New Orleans 50-42. Hunt and Harrison continued to lead the charge, with Josh Taylor adding 10 points off the bench. However, New Orleans' lead was too much to overcome, and the Privateers cruised to a 9-point victory.
CHD Scout Report Card
CORRECTPredicted
Final
CHD Scout's pre-game prediction had New Orleans winning by a slim 0.3 points, but the actual margin was much more convincing. The predicted score of 71-72 was also well off the mark, as both teams exceeded expectations on the offensive end.
The victory improves New Orleans' record to 10-13, while East Texas A&M falls to 8-15. In terms of tournament implications, this game was a Quadrant 4 matchup for both teams, which means it won't do much to boost either team's resume. However, for New Orleans, the win is still a positive result, as it shows they can take care of business against a lower-ranked opponent. With a current net ranking of 220, the Privateers still have an uphill climb to make a serious push for the tournament. For East Texas A&M, the loss is another setback in a season that has been marked by inconsistency, and their net ranking of 287 makes a tournament bid highly unlikely. As the season enters its final stretch, both teams must string together some wins to make a lasting impression on the selection committee.