NEW ORLEANS (Interstat) — In a Southland Conference rivalry game defined by a blistering start and a furious finish, Southeastern Louisiana weathered a monumental performance from New Orleans guard Jakevion Buckley to secure an 82-78 road victory on Monday night at Kiefer Lakefront Arena.

The Lions, who led by as many as 16 points in the first half and took an eight-point lead into the break, saw that advantage evaporate under a second-half onslaught from Buckley. The Privateers’ sophomore from Shelbyville, Texas, orchestrated a spectacular comeback, finishing with 28 points and 13 assists. His driving layup with 40 seconds remaining gave New Orleans its first lead since the opening minute at 73-71, capping a rally from a 44-28 deficit.

The most critical sequence of the game unfolded in the final half-minute. After Buckley’s go-ahead basket, Southeastern Louisiana’s Isaiah Gaines was fouled and calmly sank two free throws to tie the game with 37 seconds left. On the ensuing possession, Buckley again drove the lane, but his floating jumper was off the mark. Gaines secured the defensive rebound for the Lions and was immediately fouled.

The 6-foot-8 forward from Pensacola, Florida, returned to the line and again made both free throws, putting Southeastern Louisiana ahead 75-73 with 25 seconds on the clock. Following a New Orleans timeout, the Privateers’ inbounds pass was deflected and stolen by the Lions’ Jeremy Elyzee, who was fouled. Elyzee made one of two free throws for a three-point cushion.

Needing a three to tie, New Orleans instead went quickly to the rim, with Buckley feeding Kedrick Osby for a layup to cut the deficit to 76-75 with 12 seconds left. The Lions’ Ahmed Essahaty was then fouled and split a pair of free throws. On the other end, Osby scored another layup, making it 77-76 with four seconds left, but the clock continued to run as New Orleans opted not to foul.

Southeastern Louisiana’s CJ Booker was finally fouled with three seconds left and made both free throws to seal the outcome. A last-ditch heave from New Orleans’ Coleton Benson was off target as time expired.

The Lions’ early dominance set the stage for the dramatic finish. They opened the game on a 14-2 run, fueled by Elyzee, who scored 11 of his team-high 23 points in the first seven minutes. Southeastern Louisiana shot efficiently in the first half and capitalized on nine New Orleans turnovers to build a 40-32 halftime lead.

Buckley and backcourt mate Coleton Benson, who added 21 points, willed the Privateers back into the game after intermission. A 13-2 run early in the second half brought New Orleans within three, and Buckley’s playmaking kept them within striking distance until his late heroics gave them the brief lead.

Gaines was instrumental for the Lions, contributing 18 points and nine rebounds, while making all six of his free throw attempts in the final minute. Jaiden Lawrence added 12 points, all from beyond the arc, and Booker finished with nine points and five assists.

For New Orleans, Osby finished with 11 points and Churchill Abass provided interior energy with several dunks among his eight points.

The win snapped a three-game losing streak for Southeastern Louisiana and improved its record to 9-22 overall and 5-13 in the Southland. New Orleans, which had won four of its last five, fell to 15-17 and 10-8. The Lions avenged a 79-76 home loss to the Privateers on Jan. 12.

The game, played before an announced crowd of 1,162, saw the combined score of 160 points easily surpass the pregame over/under line of 144.5.