Jordan Johnson’s 26 points not enough as first-place Lions sweep Privateers

NEW ORLEANS – New Orleans Men’s Basketball (6-14, SLC 3-6) fell Saturday afternoon to Southland conference leader Southeastern despite an outstanding performance from Jordan Johnson at Lakefront Arena.

The Privateers jumped to a 17-8 lead in the opening six minutes of the first half with Johnson scoring 10. However, the Lions kept New Orleans at a standstill while they ate away at the lead until they tied it at 8:50. By 4:35, SLU had capped a 15-8 run to put them up 30-25. Within the remaining minutes of the half, the Lions built a 44-31 advantage.

In addition to 15 turnovers, the Privateers couldn’t to the foul line after continuously driving inside in the second half. They went 2-of-3 at the stripe in the opening half while the Lions were 10-of-11.

Johnson put up 16 points and shot 6-of-8 from the field and 3-of-4 from the arc to lead both teams into the locker room.

UNO rallied to within six by hitting their first four shots after halftime but then missed 14 straight from the field. Southeastern’s 17-9 out them back in command for the rest of the contest.

The Privateers finished 47.2% from the field at 25-of-53 and 66% from the charity stripe at 6-of-9.

Johnson, who nearly played the entire 40 minutes (39:59), put up 26 points, his second consecutive game and fourth of the season with over 20 points. The junior from Memphis was 9-of-15 from the field and 7-of-10 from three point range.

Tyson Jackson was the other Privateer in double figures with 12 points, going 6-of-8 from the field. Kirkland saw his second consecutive game in double-digit rebounding to lead the team with 10 along with five points.