Doughty’s best career outing fuels UNO past IUPUI, 87-84

NEW ORLEANS, La. – K’mani Doughty recorded a career-high 20 points, seven rebounds and five assists in 23 minutes of play to help lead the University of New Orleans men’s basketball program past IUPUI 87-84 Wednesday on the Lakefront.

“Coach told me, when I go in, I have to rebound, I have to be aggressive, and be ready to be vocal and be a leader. That was my mindset going into the game, At the second half, I knew they couldn’t stop us getting downhill, “said Doughty, who has successfully developed his role as the sixth man for the Privateers.

“Coach Berg has always told to take pride in the minutes I get and that I have to be hungry. Coming off the bench is something I have been doing in the last two and a half years, and as the sixth man, I have to come in with a spark, especially on the defensive end.”

The Privateers (2-3) had five players reach double-figures in scoring output, a season best for the team. They also shot a season-high nine three-pointers and currently average 6.6 per game, an improvement from last year’s 4.1 per game.

COACH’S CORNER: KRIS ARKENBERG (IUPUI ALUM)
This win was a great way to celebrate Thanksgiving and a tremendous effort by our guys. We had different guys step up that have not previously, so we are looking to build on that. This was obviously our best night of the year, offensively. We hit nine 3-pointers, which for some UNO fans, nine probably felt like 50 because there were games last year where we’d only hit one or two. Offensively, it stood out that we were able to move the ball and get different people the ball. K’mani having an outstanding game and really stepping into the role we envisioned for him all along was huge. Omar’s run off the bench was also huge for us. We found a way to win.

INSIDE THE BOX
Doughty was joined in the double-digits by Khaleb Wilson-Rouse (16 points) and Jordan Johnson (14 points, six assists, three steals). Together, the pair chipped in seven three-pointers. Omarion Henry also recorded a career-high with 11 points and led the squad with eight rebounds. Simeon Kirkland, who suffered a hand-injury during the preseason shelved out ten points and four rebounds.

Tyson Jackson chipped in six points and pulled down two rebounds. Preston Murphy Jr. and Marquez Cooper each had four points, while Murphy Jr. picked up a pair of rebounds. Daniel Sackey also contributed two points.

HOW IT HAPPENED
The Privateers got off to a slow start allowing the Jaguars to jump to a seven-point lead at the 16-minute mark (11-4). While keeping the Jaguars scoreless through three possessions, a jumper by Henry and three-pointer from Johnson put the Privateers back in the game (13-13) with 13:00 left in the half. The two teams tied twice in the first half, but the Privateers finished the half 45-42.

In the second half, the Privateers rallied against the Jaguars through eleven ties with New Orleans drawing its biggest lead by four points (77-73). Tied at 81 with 1:31 left in the second half, a layup by Doughty and mimicked by Kirkland took the Privateers to 85-81. The Jaguars closed the gap to a one-point deficit, but Johnson’s two-of-two performance at the charity stripe solidified the Privateer win in the end (87-84.)

UP NEXT
New Orleans will return to homecourt tomorrow for their final matchup in the Big Easy Classic against Denver at 2 p.m. CT. Denver defeated IUPUI 86-64 and The Citadel 74-71.

The game will be broadcast nationally on ESPN + and can be heard on NASH ICON 106.1 FM. The Voice of the Privateers, Jude Young, will be joined on color by Tic Price.

Fans are encouraged to follow @PrivateersHoops on Twitter, @PrivateersHoops on Instagram, like /PrivateersMBB on Facebook and subs cribe to the PrivateerAthletics YouTube channel.