LAKE CHARLES, La. - It may have looked like a season opener in a few ways, but the University of New Orleans women's basketball team will take it.
Senior forward Talishia Young scored 22 points in her first game in over a year to help the Lady Privateers overcome some miscues in a 62-53 win at McNeese State on Saturday evening.
Fellow senior Candice McGee added 11 points and nine rebounds to help the Lady Privateers (1-0) defeat MSU (0-1) for the 11th time in the last 12 matchups.
The Lady Privateers shot 50 percent from the field, as the visitors overcame 27 turnovers while allowing MSU to grab 17 offensive rebounds. But UNO never trailed after the 9:08 mark of the first half and led by as many as 20 points with 3:31 to play.
Senior guards Brittany Helm (10 points) and Nicole Holmes (seven assists) sparked a UNO backcourt that also debuted freshman Amanda McCarthy (8 points, 30 minutes).
Candace LaCombe had 15 points off the bench for MSU, which was just 3-for-24 from 3-point range. UNO held the Cowgirls to 29 percent shooting.
The big story was Young. The 6-3 Metairie product missed the 2008-09 campaign after a preseason knee injury sidelined her. Young had 11 points and five rebounds in the first half and played 34 minutes overall.
UNO made its move late in the first half. The Lady Privateers held MSU scoreless during the final 1:40 and stretched a 3-point lead to 24-17 at halftime. UNO opened the second half with six straight points to grab a 30-17 edge with 17:19 to play.
The Lady Privateers led by double figures until the game's late seconds. UNO shot 56 percent from the field in the second half.
The Lady Privateers will make their Lakefront Arena debut at 7 p.m. on Wednesday against Nicholls State. For ticket information, please call 504-280-GAME or log on to UNOPrivateers.com.
