STWF Sports | NATCHITOCHES, La. | Jan. 3, 2025 — A prolonged scoring drought proved costly for the New Orleans Privateers, as a late surge by the Northwestern State Demons flipped the game and handed New Orleans a 74–68 setback Saturday afternoon at Prather Coliseum.
The Privateers controlled much of the contest, particularly through the first half and into the early stages of the second, before a nine-minute stretch without a made field goal swung momentum decisively in favor of the Demons. New Orleans led by as many as 11 points when Kedrick Osby connected on a jumper with 12:21 remaining, appearing to put the Privateers in firm command.
Instead, the offense stalled at the worst possible time.
From that point forward, New Orleans missed its next 14 shots from the field, allowing Northwestern State to methodically erase the deficit. While the Demons did not overwhelm with shooting efficiency, they stayed composed, attacked the paint, and took advantage of opportunities at the free-throw line. The rally culminated with a three-pointer by Landyn Jumawan at the 5:26 mark, giving Northwestern State its first second-half lead.
The Privateers showed resilience down the stretch. Jakevion Buckley answered with baskets on consecutive possessions to trim the deficit to 64–63 with 2:26 remaining, briefly restoring hope for a late finish. That would be as close as New Orleans would get. Northwestern State closed the game by knocking down all seven of its free throws over the final two minutes, sealing the comeback and denying the Privateers a road victory.
The outcome was particularly frustrating given how well New Orleans played early. The Privateers came out sharp offensively, building a double-digit lead in the first half and shooting an impressive 55 percent from the field (16-of-29) over the opening 20 minutes. Buckley, Coleton Benson, and MJ Thomas all reached double figures before halftime, fueling an attack that consistently found quality looks.
New Orleans carried that rhythm into the second half, extending the advantage to as many as 14 points before the Demons began to claw back. The contrast between the teams’ shot-making and their trips to the free-throw line ultimately defined the final 20 minutes. Northwestern State shot just 37.9 percent from the field after the break, but compensated with aggressive play that resulted in an 18–5 edge in free-throw attempts and a 14–4 advantage in makes during the second half.
Balanced scoring carried the Demons through the rally. Chris Mubiru led the way with 16 points, while Willie Williams delivered a strong all-around performance, finishing with 13 points and 13 rebounds. Izzy Miles added 12 points, and Northwestern State placed five players in double figures overall.
For New Orleans, Buckley paced the scoring with 17 points to go along with four assists, continuing to serve as the offensive engine. Thomas recorded a double-double with 16 points and 12 rebounds, providing a steady interior presence, while Benson chipped in 15 points and seven boards. Despite that balance, the prolonged cold stretch proved too much to overcome.
The loss underscored the fine margins that often decide road games in conference play. New Orleans executed at a high level for long stretches, but the inability to score during a critical window allowed Northwestern State to dictate the closing moments.
The Privateers will look to regroup quickly as they return home for their next contest. New Orleans is set to host East Texas A&M Lions on Monday night at 7 p.m., aiming to rediscover the offensive consistency that carried them early before slipping away late in Natchitoches.
