Home NCAA College UNO Privateers Stay Hot from Deep, Crush SUNO 109–78 Ahead of LSU Showdown

UNO Privateers Stay Hot from Deep, Crush SUNO 109–78 Ahead of LSU Showdown

November 8, 2025
NCAA College, Team Coverage

STWF | NEW ORLEANS | Nov. 8, 2025 — The University of New Orleans men’s basketball team delivered a fireworks show on the Lakefront Saturday afternoon, lighting up the scoreboard and the crowd of 2,691 with a three-point barrage that powered them to a commanding win over crosstown rival SUNO, 109–78. The Privateers (2-0, 0-0 Southland) were unstoppable from deep, opening the game with a flurry of triples that set the tone for a wire-to-wire victory.

From the opening tip, UNO’s offense looked polished and confident, riding the momentum from its stunning season-opening upset over TCU earlier in the week. The Privateers knocked down five three-pointers in the game’s first six minutes — courtesy of Coleton Benson, Enzo Boudouma, TJ Cope, and Jamal Chretien II — to jump out to a 24–8 lead that SUNO never threatened.

By halftime, the rout was on. UNO poured in 66 first-half points, shooting an incredible 60.1% (20-of-33) from the floor and 55.6% from three-point range (10-of-18). Even more impressively, the Privateers displayed aggressiveness in attacking the rim, getting to the foul line 25 times in the first half and converting 16 of those attempts.

The crescendo came right before intermission, when Eze Nwakamma buried a buzzer-beating three-pointer that sent the Lakefront Arena crowd into a frenzy and gave UNO a 66–38 halftime lead.

Benson and Cope Lead the Way

Star guard Coleton Benson led the Privateers’ scoring charge once again, finishing with 18 points on 5-of-7 shooting from beyond the arc. His shooting rhythm was unmatched, hitting from deep early and often to keep SUNO on its heels defensively.

Meanwhile, TJ Cope turned in one of the most efficient performances of the day, scoring 17 points on seven made field goals. His combination of athletic drives and perimeter precision gave the Privateers a reliable secondary scorer behind Benson.

Inside, Churchill Abass proved to be a force in limited minutes, adding 13 points, five rebounds, and three emphatic blocks in just nine minutes of play. His energy and rim protection helped UNO dominate the paint on both ends.

UNO’s depth was once again on full display — a hallmark of this season’s squad. Head coach Mark Slessinger went deep into his bench, with all 15 players logging minutes and 12 of them scoring at least one basket.

Second-Half Highlights and Heroics

While the Privateers had already secured control by halftime, the second half offered plenty of highlight moments for the homecoming crowd. Senior guard Grant Kemp electrified fans with an all-around effort — six points, three steals, three rebounds, and nine assists in just 18 minutes.

His defining moment came late in the second half, when the 5-foot-9 Kemp soared to block a shot from 7-foot former Privateer Dorian Booker, igniting the loudest roar of the night from the stands.

Irish Coquia led the team in minutes played (21), adding nine points and three rebounds, while Boudouma, Chretien, Pagonis, and Thomas all contributed valuable minutes off the bench. The team’s ability to spread minutes and production across the roster highlighted both its depth and its unselfish offensive approach.

SUNO’s Effort and Notable Performances

To their credit, the SUNO Knights (1-5) continued to fight even as the game got away early. Five Knights finished in double figures, led by Donte Briggs (15 points) and Erroll Smith (14). Former Privateer Dorian Booker added 11 points, including several strong finishes inside, while Caleb Williams and Jakobe Dykes each scored 10.

However, the Knights couldn’t keep up with UNO’s tempo and shooting efficiency. The Privateers dominated nearly every statistical category, including field-goal percentage, assists, and rebounds.

Privateers Stay Hot, Eye Baton Rouge Showdown

The win caps a dominant homecoming week for UNO, which now improves to 2-0 on the young season following a historic win at TCU. Their early-season confidence and offensive rhythm have the Privateers looking like a legitimate mid-major contender in the Southland Conference.

Next up, UNO heads north up I-10 for a marquee matchup against LSU on Monday night at the Pete Maravich Assembly Center in Baton Rouge. Tipoff is set for 7:00 p.m. CT, and fans can tune in on SEC Network+ or ESPN+, or catch the radio call on The Ticket 106.7 FM.

With Benson’s hot hand, Cope’s consistency, and a deep bench firing on all cylinders, UNO looks poised to make noise well beyond November.