Robinson, UNO dominate second half to erase double-digit deficit, down UIW

SAN ANTONIO – Bryson Robinson finished the week with 14 three-pointers as the junior caught fire in the second half to finish with 19 points on 5-of-10 shooting in the University of New Orleans (10-9, 5-3 Southland) 61-52 victory over the University of the Incarnate Word (6-14, 1-6 Southland) Saturday afternoon in the McDermott Center.

Robinson went 5-of-9 from long distance and added three steals in 36 minutes. Defensively, the Privateers forced 21 turnovers and ended the game on an 8-0 run. UIW did not score in the final 4:07 of the ballgame. It was a 17-4 run through the final nine minutes.

“It was an incredible team effort,” said head coach Mark Slessinger. “It’s been a tough three-game road swing. It took some time, but we were able to get going offensively, and I’m proud of the way our team adjusted. Our defense forced turnovers and our shots began to fall.”

The nation’s No. 1 free throw shooting team did not attempt a free throw in the second half as the Privateers defense forced 15-plus turnovers for the eighth consecutive game and 15th time this season.

Damion Rosser finished with 11 points and five rebounds, Ezekiel Charles added 10 points and Jahmel Myers came off the bench with six points, five rebounds and a blocked shot late in the game.

FIRST HALF

The Cardinals took a 10-4 lead into the under-12 media with three blocks and 50.0 percent shooting. Despite the lead, UNO continued to force turnovers as UIW had six miscues by the 10:45 mark and Rosser’s block/Cardinal foul ended the home team’s rally. On the other side of the media, Charles drained a three and defensively, the Privateers forced another turnover that led to a second chance bucket by Gerrale Gates.

A Christian Peevy three with 3:56 remaining made it 23-13 UIW and gave Peevy his 12th point of the game.

Robinson connected on two late threes and Gates posted eight points and four rebounds to cut the Cardinals lead to 29-25 at the half. Gates was a perfect 4-for-4 from the line, but the freshman was the lone Privateer to attempt a free throw in the opening stanza. UNO’s defense forced 14 turnovers in the frame and scored six points off the miscues.

Peevy was the leading scorer with 14 points and five rebounds on 7-of-8 shooting. Incarnate Word shot 57.9 percent from the floor. Augustine Ene added 10 points.

SECOND HALF

Rosser’s putback a minute into the half made it 32-28 UIW.

Midway through the half, Robinson caught fire, finding nothing but net on back-to-back jumpers from downtown. On the ensuing possession, B-Rob was fouled and made 2-of-3 from the line as the UIW lead became a one-possession edge.

Cody Graham’s jumper was followed by a Jahmel Myers put back. Robinson swarmed the interior and picked up his third steal of the game with 8:25 remaining and hit his third triple of the half and fifth of the game to put UNO in front for the first time since the opening bucket. The clubs traded baskets with Troy Green’s mid-range jumper regaining the lead for the Blue and Silver. The defense forced yet another shot clock violation.

Myers made clutch free throws and the Privateers sealed the victory, holding UIW scoreless through the final 4:07 to improve to 5-3 in league play.

INSIDE THE BOX

Peevy led all players with 20 points, 11 rebounds and three blocks. Ene and New Orleans native Charles Brown III reached double figures with 16 and 11, respectively.

NEXT UP

The Privateers return to Lakefront Arena to host Northwestern State University Wednesday at 7 p.m.

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