STWF Sports | NEW ORLEANS | Jan. 19, 2026 — The New Orleans Privateers delivered one of their most complete performances of the season Monday night at Lakefront Arena, using a dominant second half to pull away for an 89–76 victory over the Lamar Cardinals in Southland Conference play. Behind balanced scoring, defensive discipline, and a decisive closing stretch, the Privateers secured a win that showcased both growth and confidence.
Churchill Abass and MJ Thomas led the way with 20 points apiece, as New Orleans improved to 7–12 overall and 5–5 in conference action. The Privateers shot 53.7 percent from the field, their third-highest mark of the season, while applying consistent pressure on both ends of the floor to control the final 20 minutes.
Abass delivered a career night, setting a new personal high in scoring while pairing his offensive output with physicality around the rim. Thomas matched him stride for stride, recording his first 20-point game of the season and adding nine rebounds to anchor the effort. Together, they fueled a second-half surge that Lamar never fully recovered from.
The Cardinals briefly threatened early after halftime, tying the game twice in the opening minutes of the second half. Each time, however, New Orleans responded with poise. Abass punctuated one of those responses with a powerful drive and dunk, igniting the crowd and signaling a shift in momentum. From there, the Privateers steadily widened the gap, leaning on disciplined execution and high-percentage looks.
Defensively, New Orleans asserted control by stringing together key stops. Lamar was held without a field goal for two separate four-minute stretches in the second half, a testament to the Privateers’ ability to contest shots and close out possessions. The Cardinals finished the game shooting just 39 percent from the field, as New Orleans limited clean looks and forced difficult attempts late in the shot clock.
The Privateers also closed the game with authority, converting seven consecutive field goals over the final 6:42 to remove any lingering doubt. The efficient finish reflected the team’s composure and shot selection, hallmarks of a group playing with confidence in front of its home crowd.
The first half, by contrast, was a back-and-forth affair defined by balance and physicality. The score was tied nine times, and the lead changed hands seven times, underscoring the evenly matched nature of the opening 20 minutes. The teams were deadlocked at each of the first three media timeouts — 11–11, 18–18, and 28–28 — as neither side could create sustained separation.
New Orleans finally found breathing room with a nine-point run late in the half. TJ Cope sparked the surge with the first four points and capped it with a driving layup inside the final minute. The Privateers also leveraged their aggressiveness, earning 21 trips to the free-throw line in the first half and converting at a 14–4 advantage over Lamar. By halftime, New Orleans carried a 41–36 lead into the locker room.
A key factor in the opening half was foul trouble for Lamar’s leading scorer, Rob Lee Jr., the reigning Southland Player of the Week. Lee was limited to just eight minutes before halftime, disrupting the Cardinals’ offensive rhythm and forcing adjustments that New Orleans capitalized on.
Despite the loss, Lamar received strong performances from Braden East, who posted 26 points and 11 rebounds, and Andrew Holifield, who added 20 points. The Cardinals showed resilience but were unable to match New Orleans’ depth and efficiency after intermission.
The Privateers’ balanced attack proved decisive. Five players finished in double figures, including Jakevion Buckley, who recorded 13 points and eight assists, TJ Cope with 12 points on 4-of-7 shooting, and Coleton Benson, who chipped in 10 points. Abass added seven rebounds to his scoring output, while Thomas’ presence on the glass complemented his offensive night.
For New Orleans, the win represented more than just a conference result. It reflected a team learning to sustain intensity, defend with purpose, and finish games decisively — all essential ingredients as the Southland schedule tightens.
