NEW ORLEANS | October 18, 2025 – The Coach P era in New Orleans tipped off in style on Saturday afternoon as the University of New Orleans Privateers stormed past the Sacramento State Hornets, 89-76, inside a buzzing Lakefront Arena. With over 1,800 fans in attendance for the Southwest Shootout, UNO delivered an impressive performance fueled by Jakevion Buckley’s explosive debut and a suffocating second-half defensive effort.
The afternoon served as the unofficial celebration of the Privateers’ renewed swagger under Vice President of Basketball Operations Master P and head coach Stacy Hollowell, and the team did not disappoint.
Buckley’s All-Around Brilliance
Buckley, a First Team All-Southland transfer from Southeastern Louisiana, looked every bit the part of a leader in his Privateer debut. The Shelbyville, Texas native scored a team-high 25 points on 7-of-11 shooting, going a perfect 10-for-10 from the free-throw line, and added eight assists to spearhead UNO’s offensive attack.
“I just wanted to come out and set the tone,” Buckley said postgame. “Coach [Hollowell] trusted me to run the offense, and once I saw a few shots go in, I just kept attacking. The energy in here was amazing.”
Buckley’s command of tempo and poise under pressure proved invaluable as UNO battled through a high-scoring first half. When the Privateers needed a bucket, he delivered — driving, dishing, and creating offense from every spot on the floor.
Privateer Offense Finds Its Rhythm
UNO’s offensive balance was equally impressive, with five players hitting from long range. Texas State transfer Coleton Benson showed off his sharpshooting touch, drilling four three-pointers and finishing with 14 points in 28 minutes. His spacing opened up driving lanes for Buckley and the Privateer frontcourt to operate efficiently inside.
Sophomore MJ Thomas made the most of his limited minutes, producing a dominant 17-point, 10-rebound double-double in just 15 minutes of action. The 6’7” forward didn’t miss a shot, going a perfect 5-for-5 from the floor while controlling the glass and energizing the crowd with second-chance plays.
“I thought MJ was tremendous,” Hollowell said. “His effort on the boards completely changed the momentum in the second half.”
UNO’s bench also came alive, outscoring Sacramento State’s reserves 40-16 — including a 19-3 second-half margin that helped blow the game open.
Defense Turns the Tide
After allowing the Hornets to shoot 51% from the field in the first half, the Privateers locked in defensively after halftime. UNO held Sacramento State to just 34% shooting (10-of-29) in the second half, including 1-of-13 from beyond the arc. The Privateers’ relentless rebounding and improved defensive communication allowed them to dominate the closing minutes.
UNO’s energy on the boards was contagious — the team finished with a 42-35 rebounding edge and a 38-34 advantage in points in the paint.
Junior forward TJ Cope provided some of the game’s most electric moments, finishing 4-for-4 from the field with four emphatic dunks that sent the crowd into a frenzy. Two came via alley-oop passes — one from Panagiotis Pagonis, another from Buckley — both sealing the Privateers’ momentum late in the second half.
“Once we got that first stop, everything started clicking,” Cope said. “This team feeds off energy, and when we defend, we’re hard to stop.”
Hornets Struggle Late Despite Cherry’s Effort
Sacramento State stayed competitive through much of the first half thanks to the play of Jeremiah Cherry, who scored a game-high 23 points on 11-of-21 shooting. Prophet Johnson added nine rebounds, but the Hornets’ offensive rhythm collapsed under UNO’s second-half pressure.
The Hornets shot just 7.7% from three after the break and managed only one made field goal over a five-minute stretch midway through the half, allowing UNO to take full control.
Looking Ahead
With the victory, the Privateers open their season on a high note and continue to build confidence heading into their first true road test. UNO will travel to Fort Worth, Texas, on November 3 to face TCU at Ed and Rae Schollmaier Arena. The matchup will air live on ESPN+ and Heaven 106.1 FM, with tipoff set for 7 p.m. CT.
As the Privateers embark on their 2025–26 campaign, Saturday’s performance offered a glimpse of what’s to come — a team blending flash and fight, united under a new identity and a clear vision: New Orleans basketball is back.
