Central Arkansas Prevails in Defensive Battle Against Privateers

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NEW ORLEANS, La. – The New Orleans Privateers women's basketball team (2-13, 0-6) could not hold onto a narrow halftime lead in a 53-46 loss to the Central Arkansas Sugar Bears (10-8, 3-3) on Wednesday at the Lakefront Arena.

Trailing 47-44 with just over a minute remaining, the Privateers played the foul game early. Central Arkansas stepped to the line and hit four clutch free throws to get the necessary separation and seal the victory. The Sugar Bears were 10-for-12 from the free throw line in the second half.

The Sugar Bears gained their first lead of the second half on one of four made three-pointers in the second half at the 14:02 mark. New Orleans regained the lead briefly at 31-30 on a Halie Matthews fade away jumper. However, a pair of free throws on the next Central Arkansas gave them the lead back, and the Privateers could only tie the score once afterward.

Both teams struggled to find their early offensive footing with the first basket not coming until the seventh possession when Yasmin Taylor got a bucket and hit a bonus free throw for an early 3-0 lead. Central Arkansas hit a 9-0 spurt afterward and enjoyed a 12-5 lead at the 11:08 mark.

The Privateers were able to get a couple of second chance opportunities and eventually recaptured the lead on a Taylor layup. New Orleans went to the half leading 24-21 and forced 11 Sugar Bears turnovers in the opening half.

Taylor led the team in scoring with 11 points while also adding seven rebounds. Raven Coleman scored eight points and co-led the team in rebounds with eight. Danielle Davis chipped in with six points and eight boards. The Privateers out-scored Central Arkansas 28-12 in the paint on the night and had all 10 second chance points.

Kendara Watts and Maggie Proffitt both overcame slow starts to wind up with 16 points each. Brianna Mullins added eight points and went a perfect 6-for-6 from the free throw line. The Sugar Bears shot 42.9 percent for the game and had 12 of their 14 free throw attempts in the second half.

The Privateers will next face Texas A&M-Corpus Christi on Saturday at 4 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.