COMMERCE – Though the New Orleans Privateers had a lead as big as 24 on Monday night, the East Texas A&M University men's basketball team pulled to within six in the second half but fell 94-85 at the Hunt Regional Healthcare Court in the Field House.
 
The Privateers started the game by scoring the first six points of the game. The Lions hit back-to-back three-pointers to get to 15-14 in the first half, but the game was never tied nor did the lead change.
 
UNO put together a 13-4 run towards the end of the first half to take a 52-21 lead, the Lions did score the final four points of the half to cut into the Privateer lead at the half. With the Privateers leading 66-44 at the 14:01 mark of the second half, the Lions went on a 17-3 run to come within single digits for the first time in the second half.
 
Another 5-0 run brought the Lions within 74-68 with 8:22 left, but then New Orleans scored the next eight and the deficit did not fall below double digits until the final 20 seconds of the game.
 
The Lions have now lost three in a row and fall to 8-15 overall and 3-10 in conference play. New Orleans swept the season series over East Texas A&M and is now 3-1 all-time in the Field House. The Privateers are 10-13 overall and 8-6 in Southland play this season.
 
Gianni Hunt (Lakewood, Calif.) had 23 points for the Lions, going 13 for 14 at the line. He also added four rebounds, six assists, and three steals. Ronnie Harrison (Forney) recorded 18 points and eight rebounds, while Josh Taylor (Atlanta) totaled 15 points off the bench and Vinny Sigona (Prestonwood Christian Academy) tallied 10 points.
 
For the Privateers, Coleton Benson scored 34, making 7 three-pointers. Four of the five starters for the Privateers scored in double digits.
 

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The Lions play their next two against Northwestern State. East Texas A&M is in Natchitoches on Wednesday at 6:30 p.m. and then hosts the Demons on Saturday at 5 p.m.