New Orleans Privateers Defeat Sacramento State 89-76 in Season Opener

The New Orleans Privateers secured an 89-76 victory over the Sacramento State Hornets yesterday, marking a successful debut for transfer guard Jakevion Buckley and a strong start to their 2025-26 season.

Buckley led all scorers with 25 points on 7-of-11 shooting, adding 10 free throws and eight assists in his first 31 minutes as a Privateer. Coleton Benson, a transfer from Texas State, contributed 14 points, while sophomore MJ Thomas came off the bench to score 17 points and grab a team-high 10 rebounds in just 15 minutes. The Privateers’ bench proved crucial, outscoring Sacramento State 40-16 overall and 19-3 in the second half. UNO’s strong performance on the boards, finishing with a 42-35 rebounding advantage, also played a key role in the win.

Sacramento State, led by Jeremiah Cherry’s 23 points, struggled in the second half, shooting just 34.5% from the field and 7.7% from three-point range after a 51% first-half performance. The Privateers’ defensive adjustments after halftime were pivotal, limiting the Hornets’ offensive opportunities. This victory signals a potential turnaround for the Privateers basketball program, which is looking to build on recent seasons.

The Privateers will now travel to Fort Worth, Texas, to face TCU on November 3rd, with the game broadcast live on ESPN+ and locally on Heaven 106.1 FM. University officials stated that the team is focused on continuing this momentum as they enter a challenging road schedule. You can find more information about the UNO Privateers here.