NEW ORLEANS – The University of the Incarnate Word men's basketball team fell behind early and, despite strong efforts to make a comeback, fell to New Orleans at Kiefer Lakefront Arena as the Privateers claimed a Southland Conference win, 86-64, on Saturday night. 
 
Freshman Logan Bracamonte drained a 3-pointer for the first UIW bucket of the game after New Orleans got out to a 5-0 lead, but the Cardinals (4-5, 1-1 SLC) had an uncharacteristic start in the first half, hitting just 1-of-8 from 3-point range to open the game. UNO put the pressure on early and maintained the lead for the entire half behind Derek St. Hilaire's 17-point effort. The Privateers continually added to the lead until hitting double digits at the ten-minute mark. The Cardinals tried a revolving rotation to find a lineup that could slow down the hot shooting, to no avail.
 
Freshman GG Ezedinma was a bright spot for the red and black as he went 4-of-4 from the field and 2-for-3 from the line, scoring 10 overall. Freshman Thomas Zevgaras scored eight points as sophomores Keaston Willis and Brandon Swaby had unusual nights, also with eight points apiece. 
 
Larsson was off to a strong start going 3-for-3 and 1-for-1 at the free throw line for seven points before exiting early in the game. Zevgaras stepped in and added four points and senior Des Balentine scored four to try to get the Cardinals back in the game. 
 
UIW could not find an answer to slow down New Orleans who shot 57.7% in the first half and caused 13 turnovers to take a 40-25 lead into the break. 
 
UIW came out of the break strong with a 5-0 run to open the second half, but New Orleans turned around for an 8-2 run and stretched the lead back out with ten minutes to play as SLC preseason first-team member Troy Green scored 13 points in the second half. UNO continued to put the pressure on and played with a comfortable lead for the game as the Privateers shot a season-best 64.8% (35-for-54) and 11-of-13 (84.6%) at the free-throw line for the game. 
 
The Cardinals finished the night with 24-of-55 (43.6%) from the field, 6-of-9 (31.6%) 3-point shooting and 10-for-14 (71.4%) at the line as Drew Lutz led the Cardinals with seven assists.
 
Coach Cunningham said 
"The game was a real struggle for us, from shooting to executing defensively. I needed to do a better job getting us ready for New Orleans. Credit to the Privateers, they played really hard and shot the ball well. We have to learn from this and we will find a way to get better from this game. You can't get too high, or low in the Southland Conference. We have to stay on the grind." 
 
LOOKING AHEAD 
UIW welcomes McNeese and SFA to the McDermott Center next week as the Cardinals host the Cowboys on Wednesday night at 7 p.m. CT and the SLC preseason favorite Lumberjacks on Saturday starting at 6:30 p.m. 
 
FOLLOW ALONG 
For the most up-to-date information on UIW Athletics, visit uiwathletics.com, follow the Cardinals on Twitter @UIWAthletics and like UIW Athletics on Facebook. 
 
Follow the team on Twitter @UIWMBB and on Instagram @UIWMensBasketball.