STWF Sports | NEW ORLEANS | Jan. 16, 2026 — Momentum is a powerful currency in college basketball, and the University of New Orleans men’s basketball team will look to cash in on a dramatic victory as it returns to Lakefront Arena for a pivotal Southland Conference homestand. The Privateers are set to host Stephen F. Austin on Saturday before closing the stretch with a Monday night matchup against Lamar, two games that could significantly shape their conference outlook.
New Orleans enters the week at 6–11 overall and 4–4 in Southland play, coming off one of its most memorable wins in recent program history. On Monday night, the Privateers stunned Southeastern, 79–76, when Coleton Benson drilled a three-pointer that bounced home with just 0.1 seconds remaining. The basket marked Benson’s second 30-point performance of the season and provided a defining moment for a team searching for consistency.
The shot carried historical weight as well. It was the first basket to give New Orleans the lead in the final second of a game since Bo McCalebb’s buzzer-beater against North Texas in February 2007. That span includes nearly two decades of close calls and near-misses, underscoring the significance of Benson’s heroics. The moment also recalled T.J. Worley’s game-winning three against North Carolina State in November 2007, which remains the program’s most recent victory over a top-25 opponent.
Beyond the late-game drama, Monday’s win highlighted areas of tangible growth for the Privateers. New Orleans converted 31 free throws on 39 attempts, a season high in both makes and attempts. The performance reflected a renewed emphasis on attacking the basket and finishing through contact, traits that could prove crucial against physical conference opponents. The last time the Privateers reached that number at the free-throw line was December 2022 against Dillard.
The free-throw success has been a steady strength all season. New Orleans ranks second in the Southland Conference in team free-throw percentage at 75.9 percent, a statistic that could become a deciding factor in tightly contested league games.
Defensively, Churchill Abass delivered one of his most impactful performances of the season against Southeastern, swatting away a career-high five shots. The outburst pushed his season total to 30 blocked shots, with 14 regular-season games still remaining. Abass now sits just 11 blocks shy of cracking the top 10 in single-season program history, a list that includes Makur Puou (2016) and Asrangue Souleymane (2006).
That defensive presence will be tested immediately against Stephen F. Austin, one of the league’s most balanced teams. The Lumberjacks (14–3, 7–1) enter the weekend tied atop the Southland standings alongside McNeese and Nicholls. SFA boasts the second-best scoring offense and the top scoring defense in the conference, making them one of the most complete teams the Privateers will face this season. Keon Thompson leads the way offensively, averaging 16.8 points per game, fourth-best in the league.
Containing SFA’s disciplined offense while navigating its aggressive defensive schemes will require poise and execution from New Orleans, particularly in half-court settings.
Monday’s matchup against Lamar presents a different but equally challenging test. The Cardinals (9–8, 4–4) are locked in a three-way tie for fifth place with the Privateers and Northwestern State, giving the contest added importance in the conference race. Lamar ranks third in the Southland in rebounding margin, emphasizing physicality and second-chance opportunities. Rob Lee Jr. and Andrew Holifield both rank among the league’s top 12 scorers, with Holifield also sitting second in the conference in blocked shots at 2.1 per game.
For New Orleans, the upcoming homestand represents more than two games — it is an opportunity to build momentum, solidify its standing in the middle of the Southland pack, and prove that Monday’s dramatic finish can be a catalyst rather than an outlier. If the Privateers can pair late-game confidence with disciplined execution, Lakefront Arena could once again become the site of meaningful February basketball.
