The University of New Orleans Privateers secured a notable road victory, defeating Stephen F. Austin State University 77-73 at the William R. Johnson Coliseum. New Orleans, ranked 210 in the NET rankings, pulled off the upset against the higher-ranked Lumberjacks, who sit at 81. The Privateers took a decisive lead into halftime, outscoring Stephen F. Austin 31-23 in the first half. Although the Lumberjacks outscored New Orleans 50-46 in the second half, the Privateers' initial advantage proved sufficient to claim the 4-point win.
This outcome was largely driven by a standout performance from one individual, whose exceptional effort significantly exceeded their typical production. The disparity between this player's usual output and their achievements in this contest was striking, underscoring the decisive role they played in shaping the game's outcome. New Orleans' ability to capitalize on this outstanding display ultimately allowed them to overcome the odds and emerge victorious against Stephen F. Austin.
A 30-point, 5-rebound performance from Coleton Benson set the tone for New Orleans, as his scoring prowess helped propel the team to victory. With the game on the line, Benson's ability to convert from the field, including a 7-7 mark from the free throw line, proved crucial. The freshman standout, MJ Thomas, also delivered a strong outing, notching 18 points and 10 rebounds to complement his 3 blocks, showcasing his all-around skillset.
Erupting for 30 points, Coleton Benson's shooting efficiency was a key factor in the win, as he connected on 10 of 17 field goal attempts. His 3-8 mark from beyond the arc was also notable, demonstrating his ability to stretch the defense. In support, TJ Cope's 11 points and 7 rebounds provided a boost, with his 4-8 shooting from the field helping to maintain the team's offensive rhythm, while MJ Thomas's overall effort, including his 7-11 field goal shooting, was essential to the team's success.
Finishing with 19 points, including 4-6 from the free throw line, Keon Thompson's performance was a notable aspect of Stephen F. Austin's offense, though his 7-18 shooting from the field highlighted the team's overall struggles with efficiency. His six assists also demonstrated his ability to facilitate for his teammates, but ultimately, the team's efforts fell short. The team's leading scorer, Lateef Patrick, matched Thompson's 19 points, with his 6-6 mark from the free throw line being a particularly bright spot, as he was able to capitalize on the opportunities he had at the line.
Despite his strong all-around game, Jerald Colonel's 11 points on 5-9 shooting were not enough to propel Stephen F. Austin to victory, as the team was unable to overcome its overall shooting woes. His 13 rebounds and 4 blocks, however, showcased his impact on the defensive end, and his ability to contribute in multiple facets of the game was a rare positive for the team on the night. With Colonel, Thompson, and Patrick forming the core of the team's offense, their individual performances, while good, were not quite enough to overcome the opposing team's balanced attack.
A notable deviation from his season average was seen in Jakevion Buckley's assist numbers, as Buckley finished with 11 assists, 5.6 more than his average, despite struggling with his shot, going 1-11 from the field and 0-5 from three-point range, resulting in a 6-point night that was 7.9 points below his season average, with Buckley also grabbing 4 rebounds, just 0.8 shy of his typical output.
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Final
The pre-game prediction, which favored Stephen F. Austin by 14 points, proved to be incorrect as New Orleans secured a 4-point victory. This outcome was unexpected, given the significant margin by which Stephen F. Austin was expected to win. The disparity between the predicted and actual results suggests that certain factors contributed to the game unfolding in a manner contrary to expectations. It is worth examining the team statistics to understand the underlying reasons for this outcome.
An analysis of the team statistics reveals that shooting efficiency and rebounding played crucial roles in deciding the game. Stephen F. Austin's poor shooting performance, as evidenced by their 38.4% effective field goal percentage, hindered their ability to score effectively. In contrast, New Orleans's higher shooting percentage allowed them to maintain a competitive edge. Additionally, both teams demonstrated a strong ability to secure offensive rebounds, with New Orleans and Stephen F. Austin posting high offensive rebounding rates. However, it was New Orleans's overall shooting efficiency that ultimately proved to be the deciding factor, as they were able to capitalize on their scoring opportunities and secure the win.
The outcome of this game has significant implications for both teams' postseason positioning within the Southland Conference. New Orleans's victory boosts their conference tournament prospects, as they continue to navigate a challenging schedule with a mix of Quad 1 and Quad 2 games, and their 14-15 record keeps them in the hunt for a favorable seed in the conference tournament. On the other hand, Stephen F. Austin's loss, although not devastating given their strong overall record, may impact their conference standings and tournament seeding, particularly considering their limited experience against top-tier opponents, with only one Quad 1 game under their belt. As the season unfolds, New Orleans will look to build on this momentum to make a push in the conference tournament, while Stephen F. Austin will aim to regroup and refocus to maintain their position atop the conference, and ultimately, the only path to the NCAA Tournament for either team will be to capitalize on their conference tournament opportunity, making every remaining game a high-stakes affair, and it's clear that New Orleans's ability to win this game on the road is a stark reminder that they are a threat to upend anyone in the conference tournament.