NEW ORLEANS - There is something about the first game each month that
brings out the best in the University of New Orleans women's basketball
program.
As they had at the start of the previous three months of the season, the Lady Privateers won their first game as the calendar flipped over, this time by beating South Alabama 68-47 on Wednesday night at Lakefront Arena.
The win snapped a seven-game losing streak for UNO (8-15, 2-10 Sun Belt), who had not won since a Jan. 3 victory over Florida International. The victory also ended an 11-game skid against USA (13-10, 8-4 SBC) that had lasted since Jan. 4, 2003.
Five players topped double-figures for UNO, led by
Talisha Bridges and
Tiffina' Bennett, who scored 11 points apiece.
Brittany Helm,
Rachele Monroe and
Nicole Holmes all scored 10 points with Monroe's 10 points representing a career-high. Helm also became the 15th Lady Privateer to score 1,000 points for her UNO career with a lay-up with 5:14 remaining in the first half.
The Jaguars were led by Siedah Banks and Tashley Gaines, who scored 15 and 10 points, respectively.
UNO was determined to end their losing streak from the start of the game.
Down 2-0, UNO scored 9 of 10 points to take a 9-3 lead. The advantage grew to 12 points at 27-11 as USA struggled to a 4/21 start from the field out of the gate compared to the Lady Privateers' 11 of 21 effort during the same period of time.
UNO would enter the break with a 39-20 lead thanks to a season-best 55.6 percent first half shooting clip. Bridges led the Lady Privateers during the first 20 minutes by making all five of her attempts on way to an 11 point, eight rebound tally heading into the break.
The points continued to come for UNO at the start second half as they scored 8 of 10 points out of the break to increase the lead to 26.
After the strong start to the second half, the Lady Privateer were held without a field goal for six minutes of play, allowing the Lady Jaguars to get within 18 points at 50-32. When UNO found their shooting touch, it was too late for USA to mount a comeback attempt as the Lady Privateers extended the lead to over 20 points again.
UNO's 21 point margin of victory was the first of over 20 points in a SBC contest since a 76-54 victory on Jan. 15, 2004 against New Mexico State.
The Lady Privateers will return to the Lakefront Arena floor this Saturday at 4:30 p.m. to face Arkansas State. The game against the Red Wolves is the first half of a doubleheader with the men, who will follow at 7 p.m.
