UNO Wins For Homecoming Crowd

Erik Thomas again

Needing a win after dropping two in a row on the road, the Privateers broke open a 37-37 halftime tie with a strong second half en route to a 78-69 victory over Nicholls.

New Orleans fended off a late Colonels rally behind another strong effort from Southland Player of the Year candidate Erik Thomas, who had 26 points to go along with 11 rebounds. Tevin Broyles had 12, and Christavious Gill and Nate Frye added 10 apiece.

With Sam Houston dropping a contest at league annoyance Abilene Christian, it's a tie at the top of the league standings again, although the Bearkats still own the tiebreaker over UNO.

The Privateers (13-9, 8-3) head back on the road to take on McNeese next Thursday. UNO dusted off the Cowboys easily at Lakefront Arena earlier in the season.