STWF Sports | NEW ORLEANS | Feb. 23, 2026 – The University of New Orleans Privateers delivered one of the most significant wins of their season Monday night, knocking off league-leading Stephen F. Austin Lumberjacks 77–73 at William R. Johnson Coliseum to strengthen their case for a first-round bye in the upcoming Southland Conference Tournament.
Facing a Stephen F. Austin team that entered the night with a 25–4 overall record and riding a 13-game winning streak, New Orleans showed poise, toughness, and execution in a hostile environment. The victory not only snapped SFA’s 15-game home winning streak dating back to last season, but also marked UNO’s first win in Nacogdoches in seven tries.
Coleton Benson once again carried the offensive load, pouring in 30 points for his fourth 30-point performance of the season. The Texas native was efficient and composed, shooting 10-of-17 from the floor, knocking down three shots from beyond the arc, and converting all seven of his free throws. Two of those free throws came with fewer than five seconds remaining, sealing the upset in his home state. Benson logged all 40 minutes, marking his fifth game this season playing at least 40 minutes.
Freshman Panagiotis Pagonis delivered arguably the defining sequence of the night in the final minute. With the Privateers clinging to a slim lead, Pagonis grabbed back-to-back offensive rebounds to extend a crucial possession and drain valuable time off the clock. Moments later, he drew a foul with 15.9 seconds remaining and calmly stepped to the line. His first free throw dropped cleanly. The second rattled around the rim before falling, pushing the lead to two possessions and shifting the pressure squarely onto the Lumberjacks.
Jakevion Buckley orchestrated the offense with precision, dishing out 11 assists to move his season total to 153. The performance pushed Buckley into seventh place on the program’s single-season assists list, surpassing Lamont Thorton, Terry Gill, and Brandon Knight. His steady presence helped New Orleans control the tempo for most of the night.
MJ Thomas posted his fifth double-double of the season with 18 points and 10 rebounds, while also contributing three blocks and two steals. TJ Cope added 11 points and seven rebounds, as the duo helped UNO build a 31–23 halftime advantage.
Stephen F. Austin emerged from the break with urgency and briefly seized its first lead at 37–36 following free throws from Ahamed Mohammed. Chrishawn Christmas’ tip-in later tied the game at 41, but the momentum was short-lived. New Orleans responded with a decisive 17–4 run, capped by a Benson steal and coast-to-coast layup, to open a 13-point cushion with just under 10 minutes remaining.
The Privateers’ defensive effort proved decisive. New Orleans shot 48 percent from the field while holding SFA to just 36 percent overall and an 18 percent mark from three-point range. UNO also won the rebounding battle 37–34, including a 25–16 edge on the defensive glass. The Privateers led for 37 minutes and 32 seconds, while the Lumberjacks were in front for only 37 seconds.
Keon Thompson and Lateef Patrick scored 19 points apiece for Stephen F. Austin, while Jerald Colonel added 11 points, 13 rebounds, and four blocks.
The win improved New Orleans to 14–15 overall and 12–8 in Southland play. The Privateers remain a perfect 10–0 in conference games played on Mondays and Tuesdays and have now secured nine road victories, tying program records set by the 1992–93 and 2007–08 teams.
UNO returns home tied for third in the league standings with UTRGV and owning the most impressive win among the teams in that cluster. The Privateers will host McNeese on Senior Night at 5 p.m. Saturday before closing the regular season against Southeastern at 7 p.m. Monday. Both contests will air on ESPN+ and 106.7 The Ticket FM.
