Veal's late FTs lift SE Louisiana over New Orleans, 61-60

Mar 3, 2016, 11:52 pm

NEW ORLEANS -- Freshman Marlain Veal hit a pair of free throws with 15 seconds left to lift Southeastern Louisiana over New Orleans 61-60 Thursday night.

Veal finished with 14 points, on 5-of-7 shooting, and a career-high five steals, while Zay Jackson scored 21, including four 3-pointers for Southeastern Louisiana.

Jackson hit a 3-pointer that put the Lions (11-19, 9-8 Southland Conference) up 57-52 with 3:22 to play, but New Orleans scored six straight, including back-to-back putbacks -- the second a dunk -- by Travin Thibodeaux, to lead by one with 1:29 left.

Veal hit a jumper and then, after a layup by Christavious Gill on the other end, the winning foul shots.

Gill missed a jumper, and Thibodeaux a putback layup in the final seconds.

Erik Thomas led New Orleans (9-19, 5-12) with 18 points, while Gill and Nate Frye scored 11 apiece. Thibodeaux tied a career high with 15 rebounds.