Privateers stage strong second half rally before falling at San Francisco

SAN FRANCISCO, Calif. – Three seniors led New Orleans men’s basketball in double-figures Monday night, cutting a 21-point deficit to just three before falling to San Francisco, 85-72.

Down by as much as 18 in the second half, Tyson Jackson banked in three-pointer to beat the shot clock with just over 11 minutes remaining to ignite a 25-8 run that drew the Privateers to within a possession with five minutes on the clock.

Marcus Williams led the Dons with 28 points to hold off the New Orleans rally.

The opening half saw New Orleans (4-6) fall behind 11-0 early and trail by as many as as 21 points with 1:44 remaining, but Jackson provided a much-needed spark by scoring two quick baskets as USF (7-3) took at 44-27 lead to the locker room.

Jordan Johnson, who also scored a game-high 28, was the sole Privateer in double-figures in the first half with 11 points. The fifth ranked NCAA scorer was 8-of-15 from the field and nearly perfect from the charity strip at 10-of-11. With consecutive 20+ point games on the west coast, the Memphis, Tenn. native averaged 26 points over the two-game span.

Jackson was named New Orleans Player of the Game after notching a season-high 18 points and five rebounds. The preseason all-conference selection scored all but four of his points in the second half. Fellow senior Khaleb Wilson-Rouse joined the veterans by chipping in 12 points and five rebounds.

New Orleans shot 47% on 24-of-51 shooting and 90% from the foul line at 19-of-21.

This game marked the fourth meeting between the two programs with USF evening the all-time series.

NEXT UP: New Orleans will return home to prepare Thursday night when the Privateers will host Birmingham Southern at Lakefront Arena. Tip-off is scheduled for 6:30 p.m.