The University of New Orleans (2-1, 0-0 Southland) led from start to finish on its way to a resounding 85–63 victory over previously undefeated Tulane (3-1, 0-0 American) on Friday night at Avron B. Fogelman Arena in Devlin Fieldhouse.
Coleton Benson tallied a career-high 33 points on 9-of-14 shooting, including 8-of-12 from beyond the arc. The senior finished one shy of matching Bryson Robinson (vs. Central Arkansas in 2019) and
James Parlow (vs. Florida State in 2007) for 3-pointers made in a single game by a Privateer. He went 7-of-7 at the free-throw line and remains perfect on the season at 15-of-15. Terry Gill holds the program record for most consecutive free throws made at 18.
Jakevion Buckley finished with 15 points and a career-high 10 assists. Through three games, the All-Southland guard has racked up 22 assists, an average of 7.3 per game. His double-double was the first of his career, and he becomes the seventh Privateer since 1996 to record a points-assists double-double.
New Orleans shot 54.2% from the field (26-of-48) and 54.2% from 3-point range (13-of-24). The Privateer defense held Tulane to 33.6% shooting from the field and, as in the TCU game, just 3-of-27 from beyond the arc.
The battle on the glass was decidedly in the Privateers’ favor, 40-23, including a 31-15 edge in defensive rebounds. Churchill Abass finished with eight rebounds and 11 points off the bench, and MJ Thomas — starting for the first time this season — added seven rebounds and seven points.
Buckley joins Lamont Berzat (21 and 10 vs. UTRGV in 2018), Travin Thibodaux (10 and 11 vs. Florida College in 2016), Rarlensee Nelson (11 and 11 vs. Central Baptist in 2013; 12 and 11 vs. NJIT in 2013; and 10 and 10 vs. Duquesne in 2012) as Privateers with points-assists double-doubles in the last 30 years.
Carl Blair recorded a triple-double (13 points, 10 assists, 10 rebounds) against Houston Baptist in 2009.
UNO has now beaten the Green Wave three straight times for the first time since winning four in a row from 2007 to 2009. The 22-point margin was the second largest in the series for either team — the Privateers won by 23 in 1996. Stacy Hollowell improves to 2-0 against Tulane as UNO’s head coach. UNO has won two of its first three games away from home for the first time since 2003.
UP NEXT
Next up for the Privateers is a trip out west to take on another Wave – Pepperdine on Tuesday Nov. 18. Tipoff from Firestone Fieldhouse in Malibu is set for 8:00 p.m. CST. The game will be broadcast on ESPN+, and locally on 106.7 The Ticket.
READ MORE:Coleton Benson’s career night sends Green Wave to their first loss
