NEW ORLEANS - Belhaven struggled offensively, but took advantage of the glass in a 66-32 victory over the University of New Orleans on Wednesday night.
BU (6-3) shot 35.6 percent from the field, the lowest for a UNO (0-7) opponent on the season. The Blazers however made the most of their opportunities on the offensive end by grabbing 27 offensive rebounds as part of a 59-35 edge on the boards.
The visiting BU was led by Jessica Barlow and Erica Leflore, who scored 14 and 12 points, respectively. The Lady Privateers kept the Blazers' leading scorer Sarah Carr in check, limiting her to a 1 of 5 performance from the field and four points.
Mirjam Sipos scored 14 points for the Lady Privateers, making all four tfree throws while adding five rebounds. Kiedra Brocks had a game-high eight rebounds.
The Blazers scored the first 10 points of the contest after getting off to a 5 of 7 start from the field.
UNO erased the double-digit deficit after a Britney Blanchard jumper ignited an 8-0 run that included three-point baskets from Sipos and Megan Buckley. BU missed five straight attempts from the field during the stretch.
A first half of runs, BU once more put together a string of points with 11 straight additions to the scoreboard. UNO's Brocks took advantage of a second-chance opportunity to break the Blazers' run.
Despite holding BU to a 31 percent clip in the opening half, the lowest for a UNO opponent on the year, the Blazers maintained a 32-16 lead into the break.
UNO opened the second half with a 5-4 scoring advantage, but would not trim into the 15-point deficit. BU was able to pull away after improving their shooting percentage to 41.9 percent in the last 20 minutes.
The large rebounding advantage only yielded BU a 10-7 edge
on second chance opportunities.
The Lady Privateers will conclude their three-game homestand on Saturday, Dec. 11 at 2 p.m. against Crescent City foe Loyola-New Orleans.
