Gibson Gets Seventh Double-Double and Career-High 27 Points in Loss to NAU

STAFFORD, TEXAS -- Southern University at New Orleans Men's Basketball traveled to Stafford, Texas Saturday for a  late afternoon matchup against North American University. The Knights (0-8) fell just short of the victory, as NAU (1-3) got the win 87-83 in the final minute of the game.

The Knights got off to a hot start, jumping ahead 4-0 on made free throws by Bryce Brown and a layup by Devin Daniels. Daniels, coming off a career-high, 27-point performance against Our Lady of the Lake, forced NAU's Jamarric Hammond to cough up the ball, grabbed the steal and set himself up for another layup on a Bryce Brown assist (6-2 SUNO). The Knights kept feeding Daniels in the paint as his layup at the 16:45 mark put SUNO up 10-5. The Stallions turned up the pressure, going on a 13-3 scoring run, helped by back-to-back threes by EJ Wynn. The Knights pushed back with steady offensive play and their typical suffocating defense, tying the score at 26 with 6:42 to play in the first period. The score remained close as the Knights and Stallions traded baskets until SUNO's Chaun Moore knocked down a three-pointer with 3:59 in the first half to give the Knights a 35-33 lead. SUNO would call a full timeout, and came back to the court with the same energy. Bryce Brown and Isaiah Lewis would knock down three-pointers, and Jamal Gibson would follow with a dunk to give the Knights a 43-37 lead at halftime.

Gibson continued to show his dominance in the paint, grabbing defensive rebounds and offensive boards for tip-ins. His efforts pushed the Knights' lead to 49-44 at the 15:39 mark after another offensive rebound and tip-in. The Stallions raced back to a 54-50 lead with their own hard play in the paint. SUNO's Jeremiah Maldonado made a layup with 9:34 to play to pull the Knights to within three (60-63), but the Stallions responded and pushed the lead to 71-64 with 6:32 to play in the game. The Knights continued to hold their ground as Lewis and Maldonado scored the next six points for SUNO to make the score 73-70 in favor of the Stallions with 4:22 to play. The Knights got a bit out of their steady play and NAU took advantage of their missed shots and turnovers, extending their lead to 80-72 with just over two minutes to play.

When the Stallions thought the game was wrapped up at 84-75, Moore hit a three-pointer to make the score 84-78 NAU. The Knights refused to go away quietly. Maldonado made a layup and then fouled NAU's Jalon Clark, who hit both free throws to make the score 86-80. Moore then nailed another three with 11 seconds to play in the game to bring the Knights to within three at 83-86. NAU's Damione Thomas turned the ball over with under 10 seconds to play, but the Knights were unable to capitalize.

Despite their valiant effort, the Knights fell 83-87 to the Stallions.

Clark led NAU with 26 points and a game-high 17 rebounds. Hammond added 17 points and eight assists while Wynn had 12 points and nine assists. 

SUNO's big men continued to dominate the frontcourt. Gibson secured another double-double, his seventh of the season, with a career-high and game-high 27 points and 12 rebounds. Lewis contributed 14 points, five rebounds and three assists while Moore and Daniels each had 11 points.

With Saturday's performance, Gibson sits at No. 2 in the Nation for total rebounds with 108, No. 1 for offensive rebounds with 44, and No. 8 for blocks with 14 on the season. Daniels sits at No. 4 in the Nation for blocks with 16 on the year.

The Knights return home Tuesday, November 21 for a rematch against the University of Mobile. Tip-off is set for 7 p.m. CT at The Castle.