OPSU Sports
Justine Gaskamp, Sports Information Director
NEW ORLEANS —The University of New Orleans Privateers put up a new points record in Monday night’s exhibition meeting with Panhandle State men’s basketball. A final score of 107- 59 marked the largest margin of victory for the Privateers since 2013 and tied the most points scored in regulation since 2002.
Aggies head coach Jerry Olson felt his team played hard but just could not compete with the size of their opponents.
“We just got manhandled at the boards. At one time their line-up was 7’3, 6’9, 6’9, 6’8 and 6’6; it was hard to reach a rebound,” Olson said.
Panhandle State managed 25 rebounds in the game led by Jace Kerr and Jaedon Whitfield who came down with five apiece. The Privateers hauled in 54 boards with two players tying for game-high numbers at eight rebounds each (Travin Thibodeaux and Michael Zeno). Outmatching the Aggies 18-8 in offensive boards alone, New Orleans totaled 24 points on second-chance shots.
The Privateers also amassed 28 points off 19 Panhandle turnovers and held the Aggies to a 34.4 percent shooting average for the game. Senior Tyler Pate led the team in scoring with 19 points and offered up three assists and two steals. Pate led the game in three-pointers made, sinking four of ten attempts from beyond the arc; he was on-point at the line as well taking down five of six free throw shots.
Junior Jace Kerr was the Aggies second leading scorer with 15 points followed by Whitfield who finished with 13. Thibodeaux held the game-high in scoring totaling 22 points for the Privateers; he also got away with five steals and one blocked shot.
“We play these Division I teams to learn some things about ourselves,” Olson added. “It was a great atmosphere and I want to thank Coach Slessinger for bringing us down.”
The Aggies maintain 7-3 overall record and will enjoy a break for the holidays until they re-enter Sooner Athletic Conference play on Jan. 4 with a game at Bacone.
Coach Olson encourages fans to plan on an exciting spring season ahead.
“I want to thank our fans for the tremendous support they have given so far. Our last road game, we had more fans than the home team. Keep it coming!”