Charles propels New Orleans past Houston Baptist 81-76 in OT

Published

NEW ORLEANS (AP) — Ezekiel Charles totaled 19 points and 11 rebounds for his first career double-double and New Orleans held off Houston Baptist 81-76 in overtime on Saturday.

The Huskies scored the first four points in the extra period, but Damion Rosser had a layup to ignite an 11-0 run — capped by Scott Plaisance Jr.'s dunk off an assist from Bryson Robinson — and New Orleans prevailed.

Charles sank 6 of his 12 shots, including 3 of 6 from 3-point range, grabbed five of his rebounds off the offensive glass and added two blocked shots for the Privateers (6-7, 1-1 Southland Conference), who were playing their first home game since Dec. 5. Robinson pitched in 14 points and six assists. Gerrale Gates, Rosser and reserve Amari Haynes all scored 10 for New Orleans, which raced out to a 36-21 lead at halftime.

Houston Baptist (5-8, 1-1) took its first lead, 58-57, on Oliver Lynch-Daniels' 3-pointer with 2:55 left in regulation. Charles sank a 3 to regain the lead for the Privateers before McKenzie hit two foul shots with 63 seconds left to send the game to overtime.

DuBose topped Houston Baptist with 22 points. Lynch-Daniels scored 17, while Edward Hardt added 11 points and 14 rebounds for his second double-double.