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Southern Illinois Salukis (0-0) at New Orleans Privateers (1-0)
Monday, Nov. 12, 2012 • 7 p.m. CST • Lakefront Arena •  WGSO 990 AM
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NEW ORLEANS – Following the team's four-point victory over San Jose State in the season opener, the New Orleans Privateers men's basketball team will turn its attention to a 7 p.m. contest at Lakefront Arena on Monday night against Southern Illinois.

Lovell Cook is the leading scorer for UNO (1-0) through the opening game after scoring 20 points against SJSU. Dating back to the final contest of last season, Cook now has consecutive performances of over 20 points and has shot 54.8 percent over those two games.

Cook and the offense's efforts were bolstered by two staples of teams coached by Mark Slessinger – ball distribution by the guards and positive production by the bench.

Privateer guards Darrell Williams and Rarlensee Nelson dished out six assists apiece, improving the Privateers to 9-2 when at least two players have four or more assists under Slessinger. Both Williams and Nelson managed the game-high assist totals while only turning the ball over once each.

Off the bench, Cory Dixon scored 13 points including the game-winning basket with 15.3 seconds to go. Max Banchy added eight additional points, including a pair of free throws to close out the contest in the final second as the reserves managed to outscore their Spartan counterparts 31-20 for the game.

Monday's opponent SIU will be playing their first game of the season and first under head coach Barry Hinson. Hinson has 205 wins as a head coach following stints with Oral Roberts and Missouri State, joining the Salukis this past offseason after four years on Bill Self's staff at Kansas.

In the team's exhibition win against Upper Iowa on Nov. 2, Desmar Jackson was the top scorer with 19 points. A transfer from Wyoming that ranked fifth in scoring in the Mountain West in 2011, Jackson poured in 18 points in SIU's other exhibition victory on Oct. 27.

The Salukis have a proud tradition of success, including a run of NCAA bids from 2002 through 2007, featuring a pair of Sweet 16 appearances. UNO is 1-1 all-time against SIU, splitting a pair of neutral site games in 1977 and 1986.

Following Monday's contest, the Privateers will host Bethune Cookman on Thursday, Nov. 15 at 7 p.m.

Season and group tickets remain on-sale by calling (504) 280-GAME or e-mailing unotickets@uno.edu. Individual game tickets can be purchased by visiting the Lakefront Arena Box Office or TIcketMaster.com.

Monday's Game on The Air and Over the Web

The game will be broadcast on WGSO 990 AM with longtime New Orleans sports personality Ro Brown providing the call of the game. Former St. Aug and Northwestern State standout Ryan Duplessis will handle color commentary duties for home games, including Monday's contest. Fans can tune in starting at 6:45 p.m. to WGSO or WGSO.com to catch the pre-game.

A simulcast of Monday's game will be available on the pay-per-view UNO Showcase located on UNOPrivateers.com along with supplemental live stat coverage.