Women's Basketball Sets Sights on KSU Thanksgiving Classic

KSU THANKSGIVING CLASSIC
NOV.  28-29 |3 PM, 3:30 PM
KSU CONVOCATION CENTER | KENNESAW, GA

TWITTER | AUDIO | GAME NOTES | TOURNAMENT CENTRAL
 
OPENING TIP
The New Orleans Privateers (1-1) will take part in a weekend tournament on the campus of Kennesaw State. The Privateers will face the Florida A&M Lady Rattlers (2-3) on Saturday and close out by facing the host Kennesaw State Owls (1-4) on Sunday.
 
The Privateers won their home opener on Thursday, Nov. 19 by defeating LSU-Alexandria 93-75. Randi Brown set career highs in rebounds (eight) and assists (five) while leading the team in points with 25. Shania Woods finished with 13 points and nine rebounds while Bria Platenburg scored a career-best 19 points on 9-of-12 from the field.
 
New Orleans had a longer break than expected when their contest against Iowa State on Sunday, Nov. 22 was postponed due to travel. The Privateers also have upcoming non-conference road trips in December against two SEC schools (Ole Miss and Arkansas).
 
In the victory against LSU-Alexandria, the Privateers had their fourth-highest rebound margin in program history. New Orleans pulled in 61 boards to just 31 for the Generals. The last time the Privateers out-rebounded an opponent by at least 30 was on Mar. 1, 1995 when they held a 66-33 advantage on the glass against Texas-Pan American.
 
FAST BREAK
-Platenburg set new career marks in points, field goals, assists, and steals in last Thursday's victory.
-New Orleans has never played Kennesaw State in program history. The Privateers are 0-3 all-time against Florida A&M.
-The last tournament the Privateers participated in was the 2012 Basketball Travelers Invitational hosted by Texas Tech.
 
SCOUTING THE OPPONENTS
FLORIDA A&M
The Lady Rattlers are coming off an overtime victory against Kennesaw State on Nov. 24 in their home opener. Khaderja Young scored the game-winner on a put back as the Lady Rattlers avenged a 21-point loss to the Owls a season ago. Four Lady Rattlers scored in double figures including Young who co-led the team with 15 points.
 
Last season, Florida A&M was an 11-seed in the MEAC tournament and lost in the first round to Bethune-Cookman. On the season, Florida A&M finished with an 8-21 overall mark and a 5-11 record in league play. Head Coach LeDawn Gibson reached the 100-win mark in 2014-15. Gibson is in her eighth season and her high mark for wins in a year was 21, achieved in 2011-12.
 
Three players are averaging double figures through the Lady Rattlers' first five games: Olivia Antilla leads the way at 13.6 points per game. Cedricka Sweeting follows at 12.8 while Young is averaging 10.0 points a contest. Shalaunda Burney-Robinson leads the team in rebounds, hauling in 8.6 per game.
 
KENNESAW STATE
Kennesaw State is coming in at 1-4 with their lone win coming against Presbyterian (49-47 on Nov. 16). The Owls have lost three of their four games by single digits against Georgia State, Jacksonville State, and Florida A&M.
 
The Owls finished 17-13 last year and lost in the opening round of the Atlantic Sun tournament to Jacksonville. Kennesaw State defended their home court well in 2014-15, going 10-4. Nitra Perry is in her fourth season at Kennesaw and guided the team to 17 wins last year after the Owls won just 13 games combined in her first two seasons.
 
Jasmine McAllister is one of two seniors on the Owls' roster and is the team's leading scorer this season at 11.8 points per game. McAllister also heads up the team in rebounds (8.6) and field goal percentage (54.1). McAllister also led the Owls in scoring last season at 13.8 points per game.
 
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.