STWF Sports | MEMPHIS | Dec. 3, 2025  – A career-style night from TJ Cope wasn’t enough to cool off a red-hot Memphis start, as the New Orleans Privateers fell 86–70 on Wednesday night at FedEx Forum. Cope set a new season high with 21 points, including four emphatic dunks, while sparking the strongest stretches of the Privateer offense. But Memphis’ blistering early shooting created a deficit UNO could never fully erase.

Both teams came out firing, combining for 23 points before the first media timeout. Memphis opened the game with five straight made field goals, attacking the rim and collapsing the defense. New Orleans countered with efficient early scoring of their own—including threes from Coleton Benson and Kedrick Osby—but momentum shifted quickly.

MEMPHIS CATCHES FIRE EARLY

A 16–3 Tigers run pushed the lead to 16 and set the tone for the half. Memphis’ perimeter shooting became the defining factor as they knocked down 8-of-16 from deep in the opening 20 minutes. Their overall shooting was just as impressive: the Tigers hit 59.2% from the field, consistently generating open looks with quick ball movement and transition pace.

By halftime, Memphis had built a 48–28 advantage, their largest of the night.

PRIVATEERS FIGHT BACK IN SECOND HALF

UNO responded with one of its most composed halves of the season, outshooting Memphis 45.7% to 40% after the break. Cope and Irish Coquia—who recorded his first double-figure game of the year—combined for 24 second-half points, driving an offense that refused to fold.

A deep three from Cope with 4:58 remaining trimmed the margin to 13, the closest the Privateers came in the second half. But just when the momentum shifted, Memphis answered with a 7–0 burst, slamming the door on any comeback hopes and improving to 11–0 all-time in the series.

TIGERS’ BALANCE TOO MUCH TO OVERCOME

Memphis showcased its depth with six players scoring in double figures.

• Quante Berry led with 17 points.

• Dug McDaniel orchestrated the offense masterfully, posting a double-double with 11 points and 10 assists.

• Zach Davis nearly joined him, finishing with 10 points and nine rebounds.

Their ability to score from every position—and keep fresh legs on the floor—proved to be the difference.

PRIVATEER STANDOUTS

Despite the loss, several Privateers delivered strong performances:

• TJ Cope: 21 points (7–of–10 shooting), 3–of–5 from three, four dunks

• Jakevion Buckley: 14 points, four rebounds, two steals

• Irish Coquia: 10 points, six assists

• MJ Thomas: 10 points and a team-high eight rebounds

UNO showed resilience throughout the night, particularly in the second half, where defensive adjustments and improved shot selection stemmed the Memphis scoring tide.

WHAT’S NEXT

The Privateers return home Saturday at 5 p.m. to open Southland Conference play against HCU. The evening will feature a special jersey retirement ceremony for Privateer legend Bo McCalebb, adding emotion and energy to an already meaningful conference opener.

UNO enters the matchup looking to build on its strong second-half play and start league action on the right foot.