SE Louisiana walked into a tough spot and walked out with a win. The Lions beat New Orleans 82-78 on Tuesday, March 3, 2026, using a strong first half and just enough late execution to withstand a furious second-half surge.

How it happened

SE Louisiana set the tone before the break, winning the first half 40-32 and controlling the game’s early rhythm. New Orleans responded with urgency after halftime, pouring in 46 points in the second half, but the comeback ran out of runway as SE Louisiana matched them with 42 of its own to preserve the four-point margin.

Turning point

New Orleans’ second-half offense finally cracked the game open, but SE Louisiana’s ability to keep scoring—rather than simply trying to defend the lead—was the separator. Every time the Privateers threatened to turn it into a one-possession game, SE Louisiana answered with points that kept the pressure on and the clock working in its favor.

What it means going forward

For SE Louisiana (now 10-22), this was a needed stabilizer after coming in on a WLLLL stretch. The Lions proved they can win away from home by building a lead early and managing the game late.

New Orleans fell to 15-18, a frustrating result given the team’s recent LLWWW form and the way it surged offensively in the second half. The Privateers’ path forward is clear: they can’t keep spotting opponents eight-point halftime cushions and expecting a late sprint to be enough.

Game details

Final: SE Louisiana 82, New Orleans 78
Date: March 3, 2026
Venue: TBD
Halftime: SE Louisiana 40, New Orleans 32
Second half: New Orleans 46, SE Louisiana 42