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NEW ORLEANS, La. – After trailing by 15 early in the second half, the HBU men's basketball team rallied to within one but New Orleans pulled away over the final seven minutes for a 72-64 final at Lakefront Arena on Thursday night.
 
The Privateers (10-7, 5-1 SLC) got out to an early 8-4 lead on an Erik Thomas jumper with 14:32 left in the first half but a Braxton Bonds three on the ensuing possession pulled HBU (7-10, 3-4 SLC) back within one. Over the next 3:07, UNO went on a 9-0 run to gain a 17-7 lead until an Alex Fountain put-back dunk broke the Huskies' scoreless streak. After trailing by as many as 12, a Colter Lasher three at the 4:55 mark made it a 24-18 game. The Privateers pushed the lead back to double-digits on a Nate Frye layup with 28 seconds left and took a 36-25 lead into the locker room.
 
UNO opened the second period with four points and the largest lead of the game at 40-25. The Huskies responded with an 11-point burst, capped by a Reveal Chukwujekwu layup and free throw, pulling HBU within four at 40-36. Trailing 49-42, a pair of steals by Bonds led to points and brought the Huskies within three, 49-46, but Jorge Rosa answered with a three from the corner to make it 52-46 with 9:18 left in the game. Less than a minute later, a fast break layup by Bonds after another steal made the score 52-50, the closest HBU had been since the 14:02 mark in the first half.
 
After bringing the score to 54-53 after a Lasher three, the Privateers went on an 8-0 run for a 62-53 advantage with 5:52 on the clock. A layup by Bonds got the Huskies back within seven but it was as close as HBU would get the rest of the way.
 
Junior Josh Ibarra led all players with 16 points, connecting on 7-of-9 from the floor, and added six rebounds for the Huskies. Bonds added 12 points and matched a career-best with six steals to go along with five rebounds. Chukwujekwu finished the night with 12 points and a team-high nine boards.
 
Thomas posted a double-double for the Privateers with 12 points and 11 rebounds while Nate Frye led UNO in scoring, adding 15 points off the bench. Christavious Gill had 14 for New Orleans while Travin Thibodeaux also reached double-digits, finishing with 10.
 
New Orleans held a 44-to-14 advantage in free throws attempted with the Privateers knocking down 65.9 percent (29-of-44) while HBU made 76.9 percent (11-of-14) from the charity stripe. The Huskies were 24-of-56 (42.9 percent) shooting while UNO connected at a 50 percent (21-of-42) clip for the game. Both teams were even on the boards with 31 rebounds for each side. The final personal foul tally in the game saw HBU with 32 to the Privateers' 17.
 
The Huskies will remain in Louisiana for their next game, closing out their current three-game road swing against Southeastern Louisiana at the University Center in Hammond, La. on Saturday at 5:00 p.m.