NEW ORLEANS - The University of New Orleans broke their 10-game losing
streak to Louisiana-Lafayette as they picked up a 56-46 victory over
their I-10 rival on Wednesday night at Lakefront Arena.
Cookie Johnson led the way for UNO (8-7, 3-2 Sun Belt) matching her career-high with 19 points including 3 of 4 shooting from beyond the arc. Johnson's last three-point shot gave her 100 for her career, just the seventh Lady Privateer to accomplish the feat.
Rebounding was the key in a game which saw both teams shoot under 30 percent from the field as UNO out-rebounded the Cajuns 54-37, led by
Ty Felder who pulled down a career-high 19 rebounds. Felder's 15 second half rebounds equaled ULL's second half rebounding total.
Alexis Green was the top scorer for ULL (3-12, 0-4 SBC), scoring 14 points while also topping the rebounding for the Cajuns, grabbing seven rebounds. Jessica Sigue also had seven boards for ULL.
The Lady Privateers climbed into the driver's seat after trailing by four points at the half by opening the second 20 minutes by scoring 10 straight points.
While UNO's defense put the clamp on the Cajuns' offense, holding them without a made attempt from the field for nine minutes to, the Lady Privateers were unable to pull away as they went seven and a half minutes without a make of their own.
Once they ended the shooting skid, UNO was able to finally take off, making 3 of 4 shots from the field including consecutive three-pointers by Felder and Johnson to take a 41-30 lead.
The Lady Privateers would never look back as ULL would get within seven, but never closer as UNO picked up their fifth home win in six games on the Lakefront.
Both teams struggled from the field for the length of the opening half as ULL made 10 of 30 shots from the field for 33.3 percent while UNO made just 7 of 31 for a 22.6 clip.
The Cajuns were able to take advantage of 11 points off of turnovers to just one for the Lady Privateers as they took a 25-21 lead into the break, capped by a Green second chance basket just before the buzzer.
The Lady Privateers will continue their homestand on Saturday at 4:30 p.m. when they face West Division-leading UALR at 4:30 p.m.
