STWF Sports| NEW ORLEANS| (November 14, 2025) — The University of New Orleans delivered a statement win in the Crescent City rivalry on Friday night, racing past previously unbeaten Tulane 85–63 at Avron B. Fogelman Arena in Devlin Fieldhouse. Behind a career-best performance from Coleton Benson, the Privateers (2–1, 0–0 Southland) controlled the game wire-to-wire, silencing the Green Wave (3–1, 0–0 AAC) and extending their win streak in the series to three straight — their longest since 2009.

Benson was nothing short of spectacular. The senior guard exploded for a career-high 33 points on 9-of-14 shooting, including a blistering 8-of-12 from three-point range. His eight made threes fell just one short of the program record, shared by Bryson Robinson (2019) and James Parlow (2007). He also went a perfect 7-for-7 from the free-throw line, extending his season mark to 15-for-15 — just three shy of the UNO record for consecutive free throws made (18, set by Terry Gill).

“We’ve talked a lot about confidence and composure,” head coach Stacy Hollowell said postgame. “Coleton played fearless tonight — the moment never got too big for him. When he’s locked in like that, he changes the entire dynamic of our team.”

Benson and Buckley Lead the Way

While Benson stole the spotlight, Jakevion Buckley orchestrated the Privateers’ offense to perfection. The All-Southland guard tallied 15 points and a career-high 10 assists, recording his first career points-assists double-double. Through three games, Buckley now has 22 assists — an average of 7.3 per game — and becomes just the seventh Privateer since 1996 to notch a double-double in points and assists.

Buckley joins an elite UNO list that includes Lamont Berzat (2018), Travin Thibodaux (2016), and Carl Blair, who recorded the program’s most recent triple-double in 2009.

“Jakevion sets the tone for us,” Hollowell said. “He’s poised, he’s unselfish, and he makes everyone around him better. When he’s getting everyone involved, we’re a hard team to guard.”

Privateers’ Precision Shooting and Relentless Defense

The Privateers’ offensive efficiency was matched only by their defensive intensity. UNO shot 54.2% from the field (26-of-48) and matched that mark from three-point range (13-of-24), spreading the floor and forcing Tulane into defensive mismatches all night.

Defensively, UNO suffocated the Green Wave, holding them to just 33.6% shooting and a woeful 3-of-27 from beyond the arc. The effort mirrored the Privateers’ defensive performance against TCU in their season opener — another game in which they frustrated a high-powered opponent into poor perimeter shooting.

UNO also dominated the glass with a commanding 40-23 rebounding advantage, including a 31-15 edge in defensive boards. Churchill Abass provided muscle off the bench with 11 points and eight rebounds, while MJ Thomas, making his first start of the season, added seven points and seven rebounds in an efficient, high-energy showing.

“Rebounding was the difference,” Hollowell noted. “We limited Tulane to one shot, got out in transition, and our guys finished plays. It was exactly how we wanted to play.”

Rivalry History and Milestones

Friday’s win was one for the history books. The 22-point margin was the second-largest in the 50-game series between the two programs — only behind UNO’s 23-point victory in 1996. The Privateers have now defeated Tulane three consecutive times for the first time since 2007–09, and Hollowell remains undefeated (2–0) against the Green Wave as a Division I head coach.

UNO also improved to 2–1 overall and secured their second road win of the young season, marking the first time since 2003 that the Privateers have opened a campaign with two away victories in their first three games.

“It’s special,” Benson said after the game. “We know what this matchup means to the city and to our program. We wanted to make a statement — and we did.”

Up Next

The Privateers won’t have long to celebrate. They’ll head west to face Pepperdine on Tuesday, November 18, at Firestone Fieldhouse in Malibu. Tip-off is set for 8:00 p.m. CST, with coverage available on ESPN+ and locally on 106.7 The Ticket.

With confidence soaring and momentum on their side, UNO will look to carry its hot shooting and newfound swagger into California — where another “Wave” awaits.