STWF | FORT WORTH, Texas | Nov. 3, 2025 — In a season opener filled with poise, precision, and plenty of punch, the University of New Orleans men’s basketball team delivered a stunning road upset Monday night, knocking off TCU 78–74 at Ed and Rae Schollmaier Arena. Behind standout performances from seniors Jakevion Buckley and Coleton Benson — plus a flawless night from sophomore forward MJ Thomas — the Privateers (1–0) earned a signature non-conference win to open their 56th season and signal their intentions in the Southland Conference race.
The victory marked UNO’s first win over a Power Four opponent since 2016 and their first triumph over a Big 12 program since 2007. For head coach Mark Slessinger, it was a performance built on composure, toughness, and timely shot-making — all on unfamiliar turf against a TCU squad with tournament aspirations and a history of home-court dominance.
“What you saw tonight was belief,” Slessinger said after the game. “Belief in our system, belief in each other, and belief that we can compete with anybody.”
Benson Sets the Tone in Texas Homecoming
Playing less than three hours from his hometown, Texas native and Texas State transfer Coleton Benson torched the Horned Frogs for a team-high 22 points. His four three-pointers came at critical junctures, none bigger than a deep 25-footer early in the second half that pushed the Privateers’ lead to 17. Twenty seconds later, he buried another triple to silence the crowd and extend UNO’s advantage to 55–40.
“We talk all the time about stepping into big moments,” Benson said postgame. “Tonight, I just tried to be ready when my number was called.”
Buckley’s All-Around Brilliance
Senior guard Jakevion Buckley, making his much-anticipated UNO debut, delivered a near triple-double-type stat line with 13 points, nine assists, four steals, and seven made free throws — including the final one that iced the game with two seconds left.
His pace and toughness dictated the flow, and his confidence never wavered, even as TCU clawed back late.
Bench Spark and Second-Half Resilience
The Privateers’ bench — deep, athletic, and fearless — again proved to be one of the team’s early strengths. MJ Thomas was perfect from the field (5-for-5), scoring 10 points while pulling down seven rebounds. Kedrick Osby added eight key first-half points, punctuated by a steal and thunderous dunk that pushed UNO to a 20-point first-half lead.
Through 35 minutes, it looked like a wire-to-wire knockout. UNO shot 55.9% in the opening frame and carried a 44–28 lead into halftime, controlling tempo and outmuscling TCU on the glass.
But Big 12 programs rarely fold at home. When the Horned Frogs trimmed the deficit to two with 80 seconds remaining — fueled by pressure defense and late buckets from Micha Robinson and David Punch — UNO found answers. A fearless driving finish from TJ Cope and clutch free-throw shooting from Buckley and Benson helped seal the statement victory.
Defensive Masterclass
UNO’s defense and rebounding fueled the win. The Privateers limited TCU to just 3-for-27 from three-point range (11.1%) and held the Horned Frogs to 38.8% shooting overall while winning the glass 39–28 — a critical recipe in a road upset.
TCU never found rhythm from deep and generated only two leads all night, both coming in the opening minutes.
What It Means
This wasn’t just a win — it was a warning shot. With more than 10 newcomers but a veteran-steady backcourt, size in the paint, and explosive open-court athletes, UNO showed depth and dynamic scoring that will challenge Southland foes all season.
For TCU, the loss was a rare non-conference stumble in the Jamie Dixon era — only the sixth home loss in outside-league play under his tenure.
For UNO, it’s fuel.
“This is just the beginning,” Buckley said. “We’re building something special.”
The Privateers now return home looking to build momentum off a landmark road win — and with confidence that they can stand toe-to-toe with anyone, anywhere.
