Privateers Fall to Houston Baptist to Close Road Swing

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HOUSTON, Texas –  The New Orleans Privateers women's basketball team (2-12, 0-5) could not overcome a first half 17-0 run in a 63-45 loss to the Houston Baptist Huskies (8-9, 2-4) on Saturday at Sharp Gym.

Trailing by 14 at the start of the second half, the Privateers trimmed the deficit down to 10 in the first 2:09. However a layup by Tayler Jefferson followed by a steal and another layup provided a quick four-point burst that vaulted Houston Baptist who got a balanced scoring effort and strong play in the paint on offense.

Both teams struggled to get any offense going as the first media timeout hit with only two points on the board from Houston Baptist. The two teams combined to go just 1-for-11 from the field in the first four minutes of play.

New Orleans was able to keep it close, responding to each Houston Baptist bucket in the early going. The score was tied at 10-10 at the 10:05 mark after a jumper by Jewel Angelo. After that, the Privateers hit a dry spell that lasted 8:23 before a free throw broke a 17-0 Huskies run. Houston Baptist went to the half leading 27-13 and scored 20 points in the paint in the opening half.

Angelo led the team with 14 points on 5-of-11 from the field and 4-of-6 from the free throw line. Randi Brown added nine points, all in the second half and Halie Matthews also had nine. Yasmin Taylor had seven points, eight rebounds, and four steals. The Privateers visited the free throw line 21 times in the second half.

Houston Baptist was without Shanice Steenholdt for most of the game after landing awkwardly just before the first media timeout. Erin McGarrachan led the team with 14 points and Tayler Jefferson followed with 13. Monet Neal added 12 points while Anna Strickland had a full stat night with 11 points, 14 rebounds, five assists, and three blocks.

The Privateers will head back home to face Central Arkansas on Wednesday, Jan. 21. Tip is slated for 7 p.m.

To keep up with the latest New Orleans women's basketball news, follow the team on Twitter @UNOPrivateers and @Privateers_WBB or by liking New Orleans Privateers on Facebook.