UNO snaps nine-game skid with road win over A&M Commerce

COMMERCE, Tex.- A career night from Turk Vincent, one of six Privateers to score in double-figures, helped the New Orleans Privateers to an 84-78 victory at Texas A&M-Commerce Thursday night at the Field House.

The win ended a nine-game losing streak for UNO. Vincent, the only New Orleans native on the team, scored a career-high 20 points.

The Privateers had one of its best first halves, shooting 64.5 percent from the field at 20-of-31 overall. Within the first four minutes, Vincent rattled in a second-chance basket to give New Orleans its first lead of the game. From there, the Privateers hit the gas and extended the lead to 16 points. UNO ended the half up 50-38 with Vincent and Jordan Johnson in double-figures at 13 and 11 points respectively.

Facing a Lions team known for comeback wins this season, the Privateers were well prepared for their 10-point surge early in the second half that cut the advantage down to 56-48.

New Orleans was efficient at answering each of the Lions’ attempts to close the gap and kept them from truly making the Privateers sweat until the four-minute mark.

With a couple of made free throws and a driving layup, the Lions drew within three, but again, the Privateers answered. Four made free throws from Wilson-Rouse, Doughty and Vincent and a layup from Omar Henry put New Orleans back up by nine, 81-72.

The Lions made two jumpers from long distance in hopes of a final minute rally, but another two made foul shots by Vincent helped UNO close the door on A&M Commerce.

Vincent also managed eight rebounds, three assists, one block and two steals in addition to his collegiate high scoring total.

Jordan Johnson returned to the hardwood after four games out injured and did not disappoint with 14 points and five assists. Khaleb Wilson-Rouse put up 11 points and four assists. Tyson Jackson, K’mani Doughty and Marquez Cooper all contributed 10 points apiece to help the Privateers to their second road win of the season.

NEXT UP: The Privateers head to Natchitoches to face the first-place Northwestern State Demons in another Southland road test Saturday at 3:30 p.m.