Johnson fires game-winning three as Privateers pull 68-65 upset over NSU

JORDAN JOHNSON FROM DEEP AND FOR THE LEAD OH MY GOODNESS#SouthlandHoops x @PrivateersHoops pic.twitter.com/MASXGLzVJe

— Southland Conference (@SouthlandSports) February 19, 2023

NATCHITOCHES, La. – The University of New Orleans men’s basketball program (8-18, SLC 5-10) crafted a massive 68-65 victory behind Jordan Johnson’s 23-points and game-winning triple to end Northwestern State’s nine-game win streak at Prather Coliseum.

While the Privateers shot 39% from the field in the first half, they only trailed five points behind a Demons team that shot 50% to close out the half up 34-29.

At 18:27 in the second half, New Orleans trailed by 11, but a three-pointer from Johnson ignited a steady push back featuring several drives to the basket and made foul shots from Turk Vincent, Omar Henry, Marquez Cooper and Tyson Jackson at critical moments.

New Orleans took its first lead of the game at 60-59 with a layup from Johnson with 4:37 remaining. The Demons responded with a three-pointer from Demarcus Sharp and a jumper from Ja’Monta Black to tie up the game on two separate occasions. t 65-all, the Privateers had the final say.

With under one minute remaining, Marquez Cooper’s inbounds pass to Vincent led to a pass out for Johnson, who fired the game-winning three-pointer from 30-feet away.

New Orleans shot 51% from the field in the second half and 46% overall with both teams shooting 23 field goals. It came down to free-throws as the Privateers were 77% connecting on 17-of-22 while the Demons were 11-of-14. New Orleans also outrebounded Northwestern State 34-30 and scored 17 points off turnovers.

Johnson led New Orleans with 23 points, while Jackson fell just short of his fifth double-double with 14 points and nine rebounds. Cooper was also in double-figures with 10 points.

The Privateers sat one-game out of sixth place prior to the matchup and have successfully completed a two-game road sweep after also defeating A&M-Commerce 84-48 at the Field House on Thursday night.

UP NEXT: The Privateers return to the Lakefront next Thursday to host Nicholls on Senior Day at 7:15 p.m.

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