Women's Basketball Readies For Home Opener vs. LSU-Alexandria

LSU-ALEXANDRIA AT NEW ORLEANS
THURSDAY, NOV. 19 | 5:30 PM
LAKEFRONT ARENA | NEW ORLEANS, LA.

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OPENING TIP
The New Orleans Privateers women's basketball team (0-1) will play their home opener on Thursday night against an NAIA opponent in the LSU-Alexandria Generals (0-1). Tip is scheduled for 5:30 p.m. at Lakefront Arena.
 
The Privateers were defeated 85-36 by TCU in the season opener on Sunday. Randi Brown led the team with eight points and the Privateers nearly matched the Horned Frogs on the boards, only getting out-rebounded by one (37-36). Individually, Yasmin Taylor led the team in boards on the day with seven. New Orleans received 25 points from their bench.
 
This will be the first meeting between the Privateers and Generals in women's basketball. Last season, the Privateers won six home games and won three straight at the Lakefront Arena to close the 2014-15 season. Danielle Wright got the starting call at point guard for her collegiate debut and played 14 minutes.
 
Thursday will mark the first of four non-conference home games for the Privateers. In December, New Orleans will host Trinity Baptist, Jackson State, and NC-Greensboro. The game marks the front end of a doubleheader. The men will follow against Pensacola Christian at approximately 7:45 p.m.
 
FAST BREAK
-Taylor led the team in minutes (24) on Sunday. Three players played 20 or more minutes: Taylor, Brown, and Danielle Davis.
-The Privateers attempted 21 free throws and made 14 of them in the opener. Four players (Kayla Mundy, Bria Platenburg, Mariah Wright, and Shania Woods) had four attempts each.
 
SCOUTING THE OPPONENT
LSU-Alexandria has played four games, but only one has counted toward their record: a 69-46 loss to Dillard on Nov. 11. In that game, the Generals shot just 32.1 percent from the field and were out-rebounded 45-31. Taylor Maricle scored 16 points and sank four triples on the contest while Pearl Paulo added 15 points.
 
In their three exhibitions, the Generals have played to and lost to two Southland schools (McNeese State and Incarnate Word). The Generals were also defeated by defending WBI Champion, Louisiana-Lafayette. In their pre-conference schedule, LSU-Alexandria will also play exhibitions against Division I schools, Grambling, Sam Houston State and Northwestern State before beginning conference play.
 
LSU-Alexandria plays in the Red River Athletic Conference of the NAIA. Bob Austin is in his second season as head coach after going 18-14 a year ago. Austin has spent time as an assistant at two Southland schools: Southeastern and Northwestern State. Maricle led the team in points and minutes against Dillard. The senior guard averaged 8.8 points per game last year.
 
For more information on ticket purchasing for the 2015-16 season, click here or call (504) 280-GAME (4263).
 
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.