Men's Basketball gives University of New Orleans a scare, but can't withstand Privateers

IRVING, Texas - The University of Dallas men's basketball team (2-17) was bested on Sunday afternoon at the Maher Athletic Center by the University of New Orleans Privateers (12-4), 63-42. 

Barrett Brown (Phoenix, Ariz./Mountain Pointe H.S.) began the scoring, netting a three-pointer to give the Crusaders the early 3-0 advantage. Brown finished the game with eight points. 

Dallas maintained the lead until the 13:02 mark of the first period, when Max Banchy knocked down a three-pointer to give New Orleans the 11-9 advantage. 

From this point, the Privateers -- an NCAA DI Independent -- tried to break open the score, but Dallas would have none of it, never letting New Orleans' first half lead eclipse six points. Entering halftime, the Crusaders trailed by two points, 30-28. 

When play resumed, Ross Davidson (San Juan Capistrano, Calif./JSerra Catholic H.S.) evened the score, making a jump shot. The freshman forward posted a game-high 15 points on 6-of-12 shooting from the floor, including sinking 3-of-4 from the charity stripe. He also had nine rebounds -- one offensive, eight defensive. 

Noah Pettit (Fairfax, Calif./Sir Francis Drake), the only other Crusader to reach double-digit scoring, totaled 11 points on 4-of-6 shooting from the field. He netted 1-of-2 three-pointers attempted and finished a perfect 2-for-2 from the free throw line. 

Pettit's made jumper at the 16:34 mark of the second half gave Dallas the 32-30 lead. After a couple of Privateer free throws knotted the score, the game started slipping away from the Crusaders. 

Turnovers were key down the stretch, as New Orleans forced Dallas into 10 second half turnovers (19 for the game). Meanwhile, the Privateers had four second half turnovers (11 for the game). 

New Orleans' nine point lead at the 10:22 mark of the second half turned into a game-high 21 point lead with 1:04 remaining, the Privateers' winning margin.

Up next for Dallas will be a Wednesday, Feb. 2nd road match against Austin College. Tip off is scheduled for 8:00 p.m. in Sherman, Texas. On the season, the Kangaroos hold a 1-0 series advantage over the Crusaders, with Austin College winning 75-61 on Jan. 5th.