Fast-Paced Offense Leads to Saints Victory Over SUNO

SAN ANTONIO (Oct. 29, 2024) – The Our Lady of the Lake University (OLLU) men's basketball squad used strong offense to defeat Southern University at New Orleans (SUNO) in the home opener 82-70. The Saints improve to 2-0 on the season while the Knights move to 2-2. 

History

The Saints won the only previous meeting against the Knights.

Basics

The Saints scored the first five points of the contest. They continued to shoot well and drew fouls to lead by nine points halfway through the first half. Trey Law hit two free throws toward the end of the frame to give the Saints a 38-30 advantage at the break. Lonzo Rand posted nine points and Wahkil Lopez had five rebounds. The Saints' defense limited the Knights to 1-for-11 shooting from three-point range. 

Both squads showcased fast-paced offense in the second half. The Knights scored 40 points while the Saints had 44. SUNO shot 45.8 percent from the field while the Saints impressed at 55.2 percent. The Saints were disciplined from the free-throw line in the second frame by shooting 9-for-10. OLLU outrebounded the Knights and had five steals. The Knights trailed by nine points with 10:05 left in the game, but that would be the closest they would come to OLLU's lead. Four players finished with double-digit scoring for the Saints. 

Offensive/defensive standouts

Rand led the Saints with 23 points. Lopez grabbed a team-high eight rebounds. Lopez and Rand had four assists apiece.

Jamal Gibson led SUNO with 24 points. Gibson also had a team-high 16 rebounds for a double-double. Tyon Thompson led the squad with five assists.

Inside the box

OLLU combined for 25-of-54 shooting for 46.3 percent, 7-of-20 from three-point range for 35 percent and 25-of-26 from the free-throw line for 96.2 percent. SUNO shot 24-of-57 for 42.1 percent, 3-of-18 three pointers for 16.7 percent and 19-of-30 from the free-throw line for 63.3 percent.

The Saints grabbed 29 rebounds while SUNO collected 33.

Up next

The Saints play against Ave Maria University in the Southeastern Classic in Lakeland, Fla. on Nov. 8 at 5 p.m.

Hear from Head Coach Marcus Thompson and watch highlights.