Privateers Get Career High From Matthews, Lose at McNeese

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LAKE CHARLES, La. – The New Orleans Privateers women's basketball team (2-16, 0-9) got a career high from Halie Matthews, but fell 82-58 to the McNeese State Cowgirls (12-8, 6-3) on Saturday afternoon at the Burton Coliseum.

The Cowgirls were very efficient from three-point range to open up the game. McNeese State scored the first eight points of the game and opened up with a 13-2 advantage. The Privateers were able to trade baskets over the next few minutes and trimmed that deficit down to as close as seven.

However, the Cowgirls continued to find and hit open shots from the perimeter and got three players in double figures in the first half alone. McNeese State took a 51-29 lead into the break while hitting 60 percent of their shots and nine triples in the first half.

The Privateers got off to a sluggish start in the second half, hitting just one of their first 10 shots. The Cowgirls wound up connecting on 11 three-pointers and dominated the paint in the second half, out-scoring New Orleans 32-16 in the paint on the game.

Matthews led the team, setting a new career mark with 14 points. Jewel Angelo added 11 points and Octavia Wilson followed with nine. The Privateers hit on 18-of-22 free throw attempts (81.8 percent) on the game.

The Cowgirls had four players in double figures including Allison Baggett who had 25 points (19 in the first half). Amber Donnes added 15 and Talisa Boyd had a double-double with 12 points and 11 rebounds. Jayln Johnson had 10 points and eight assists.

The Privateers will rematch against McNeese State at Lakefront Arena on Feb. 5. Tip is scheduled 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.