UNO (0-0) vs. Texas Wesleyan (1-1)
Sat. Nov. 12, 2011 • 2 p.m. CST • Lakefront Arena
Live Video • Live Stats • Twitter • Game Notes • Student Game Day Shuttle
NEW ORLEANS - The University of New Orleans women's basketball team will begin the 2011-12 season with a two-game homestand starting on Saturday afternoon at 2 p.m. against Texas Wesleyan at Lakefront Arena.
The fifth UNO head coach in school history, Keeshawn Carter will look to halt a trend of losses in the opening game of Lady Privateer head coaching tenures. Carter will have one advantage over the four coaches that stood on the sidelines before her as she is the first to play at home in the opening game.
This year's edition of the UNO women's basketball team already has one game under their belt, a 100-42 exhibition loss to McNeese State on Nov. 2. Returning junior
Mirjam Sipos and junior college transfer
Mechel'le Thomas scored 10 points apiece in the setback.
Other key contributors included sophomore
Spring Drake with nine points and debuting freshman
Yosha Watson, who grabbed a team-high eight rebounds.
Sipos is the top returning player on the squad after scoring at least 10 points in 18 of 22 games on way to 13 points per game – good for second on the team last year. The native of Sopron, Hungary also ranked first on the 2010-11 team in rebounds (6.4), assists (93) and steals (44).
UNO will be seeking to even out the all-time series against TWU (1-1) after falling 70-52 to the Rams in Fort Worth, Texas last Dec. Sipos had 11 points in the game to lead the Lady Privateers while TWU's top returning scorer from the contest is Brittany White, who tallied 12 points.
Saturday represents the third straight on the road for the Rams, who fell to Oklahoma Christian 110-94 in their opener before bouncing back with a 64-53 victory on Monday night against Science & Arts (Okla.)
Belhaven transfer Octavia Mullins is the top scorer and rebounder through the opening two games, averaging 18 points
and 15.5 rebounds per contest. Mullins enters Saturday coming off a 19 point, 19 rebound effort in Monday's win.
Tickets are on sale for Saturday's game and the entire season of UNO basketball by calling (504) 280-GAME, going to TicketMaster.com or visiting the Lakefront Arena Box Office.
Tickets are $8 for general admission seats, $10 for courtside and $5 for youth and seniors. Children under the age of five are free with group tickets available for $5.
UNO SHOWCASE
All University of New Orleans home basketball contests will be available on the 'UNO Showcase' this season. Live play-by-play coverage will feature Jude Young or Mani Pepis behind the mic live from Lakefront Arena with archived game coverage to also be made available.
Fans can purchase the video package at a cost of $6.95 for one game, $10.95 for a month or $79.95 for the entire year. For more information, visit UNOPrivateers.com.
STUDENT 'GAME DAY' SHUTTLE
Students will be able to ride a free shuttle to all home games. Departing from the front of the University Center to Lakefront Arena beginning 30 minutes prior to tip off, the shuttle service is free to all students. The shuttle will make three runs prior to tip off at roughly 20 and 10 minutes until gametime.
Following the conclusion of the contests, the same shuttle will provide transportation back to the UC. Students interested in participating in the shuttle and receiving free admittance to the game will need to present their UNO student ID to the driver upon entering the shuttle, as well as the ticket taker at the Lakefront Arena gate.
