Johnson’s 29 leads seventh-seed UNO to 90-69 win over sixth-seed HCU in first round of Jersey Mike’s Southland Conference Men’s Basketball Championship

LAKE CHARLES, La. – Seventh-seeded New Orleans advanced to the quarterfinals of the 2023 Jersey Mike’s Southland Conference Men’s Basketball Championship presented by LouisianaTravel.com with a 90-69 win over sixth-seed HCU on Sunday night.

The Privateers (11-19 overall) shot 56.3 percent (36-of-64) from the field and made 6-of-11 three pointers en route to a date with third-seed Southeastern at 7:30 p.m. Monday. HCU’s season ends at 10-22 overall.

Jordan Johnson shot 10-of-18 from the field with five three-pointers for 29 points, with six assists to lead UNO. Jamond Vincent had a double-double with 10 points and 14 rebounds. Tyson Jackson scored 14 points and Omarion Henry netted 10 points.

Maks Klanjscek scored 29 points with seven rebounds to lead the Huskies, while Pierce Bazil scored 13 points. HCU shot 40.0 percent (26-of-65) from the field in the game.

The Privateers rushed to a 10-2 lead in the first 3:11 of the contest. HCU responded with a 19-8 run with a Klanjscek triple giving the Huskies a 21-18 lead with 9:07 left in the first half.

New Orleans took an eight-point halftime lead at 41-33 thanks to a 10-2 closing run in the final 3:30.

The lead stretched to double digits on five Johnson points early and stayed there with 12:31 to play. A seven-point UNO rally put the lead up to 18 points with a Vincent dunk emphatically tipping the game into the Privateers’ favor for good.