NEW ORLEANS, La. – Sophomore Braden East scored a career-high 26 points and pulled down 11 rebounds but Lamar University struggled offensively in the second half and New Orleans took advantage. The Privateers defeated Lamar, 89-76, ending the Cardinals win streak at three.
 
The loss drops Lamar to 10-9 on the season and 5-5 in Southland Conference play preventing LU from moving into a tie for fourth place in the standings.
 
Lamar finished the game 28-of-71 (.394) from the field. UNO was 29-of-54 (.537) after a second half that saw it shoot nearly 62 percent.
 
The Privateers also had a huge advantage at the free throw line knocking down 30-of-41 (.732) attempts while Lamar got to the line just 16 times (12-16/.750). UNO also outrebounded Lamar, 40-35.
 
Joining East in double-figures were seniors Andrw Holifield (20 points) and Cody Pennebaker (13).
 
The game started quick for Lamar with an East tip-in followed by a steal and Holifield three-ball but UNO had a response tying the game moments later. The Privateers opened the game hitting four of their first five but LU kept them close.
 
Eventually Lamar would get hot hitting six of its next 11 to move to 50 percent from the field which coincided with UNO cooling off (one for their next eight). The Privateers were forced to call a timeout at the 9:08 mark (their third timeout of the half) but it sparked the hometown team. New Orleans responded to the timeout by rattling off a 14-0 run which spanned nearly six minutes to take a nine-point lead.
 
Lamar finally ended the drought with an East putback but the Privateers took a five-point advantage into the locker room following a half where they knocked down 13-of-28 (.464) with only one three-pointer. UNO also outrebounded the Cardinals, 22-16, in the opening 20 minutes.

The Cardinals finished the half 14-of-35 (.400) from the field, including four three-pointers. UNO was also aided by 14 first-half free throws (14-of-21) while the Cardinals made it to the stripe just six times (4-of-6).
 
Lamar opened the second by converting five of their first six to tie the game at 47 less than four minutes into second half but never managed to regain the lead. Lamar did not allow UNO to get any further away than a four-point lead but the Cardinals never found the dagger to reclaim the advantage during that stretch.
 
Up by two, New Orleans scored five consecutive points to create a little cushion, 60-53, with less than eight to play. It was the largest lead for UNO since the 19:39 mark and New Orleans never relinquished the lead down the stretch.
 
The Cardinals will be back in action Saturday when they return home to open a four-game homestand beginning with Stephen F. Austin. The game against the Lumberjacks is slated for a 6 p.m. start from the Neches Federal Credit Union Arena at the Montagne Center. It will be broadcast live on Newstalk 560 KLVI and streamed live on ESPN+.