Davis' Career High Vaults Privateers to Triple Overtime Win Over McNeese

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NEW ORLEANS, La. – The New Orleans Privateers women's basketball team (3-16, 1-9) used clutch shots and a career-high 26 points from Danielle Davis to win 90-86 in triple overtime against the McNeese State Cowgirls (12-9, 6-4) on Thursday at Lakefront Arena.

The Privateers led by as many as seven in the third overtime, but McNeese used a 6-0 spurt to cut the New Orleans lead to 85-84 with 1:03 left. However, Randi Brown hit a big three and Davis nailed two clutch free throws to help seal the win.

"We made a few adjustments in practice and many people did not understand the first time why we played zone. When we played McNeese the first time we forgot our rotations. We were ready tonight. Their words coming were We can and we will," said Coach Keeshawn Davenport.

The Privateers led for near the entire second half, but a turnover formed into a fast break layup that tied the game at 57-57 with 14 seconds left in regulation. New Orleans had the last shot to end it, but a three pointer was missed and the Privateers could not get another shot off before the horn. 

New Orleans fell behind late in the first overtime, trailing 65-61. Davis then hit a layup and a bonus free throw to cut the deficit to one. After McNeese State hit two free throws, Davis drained a triple from the top of the key on an assist by Mathilde Fogelstrom to tie the game and send it to double overtime.

"Their post players stepped up and gave them some good minutes and Jayln Johnson did an awesome job, but I've got to give credit to my young ladies. They played extremely hard and no matter what happened, they refused to lose," said Davenport.

Several clutch shots marked the stretch run for the Privateers. Trailing by two in double overtime, Octavia Wilson drove and hit a tough layup to tie the game and force a third overtime where the Privateers eventually secured their first win in conference play.

The Privateers came out with strong defensive intensity after McNeese State opened the game with a 7-3 lead. New Orleans held the Cowgirls to just one made triple in nine attempts and used a 17-2 spurt offensively to build a double digit advantage at 22-11 with just over nine minutes left in the first half.

New Orleans got the lead as large as 12 with 6:40 and had a balanced effort offensively in the first half as well. At the break, the Privateers held a 32-25 lead and held the Cowgirls to just 21.4 percent from the field (6-of-28). Both teams battled foul issues to key players in the first half and there were 28 combined free throw attempts in the opening 20 minutes of play (McNeese State-16 New Orleans-12).

Davis' career night came in 53 minutes of action, which set a program record."I just gave her the game ball. She was extremely tired, but she stuck it out. I told her once she got the win she was going to sleep well. She showed up in a major way," said Davenport.

Randi Brown added 18 points on 7-of-10 shooting and Halie Matthews had a double-double with 11 points and 14 rebounds. Yasmin Taylor added 11 points, nine rebounds, three steals and two blocks. The Privateers had 37 points from the bench to just 20 for the Cowgirls.

McNeese State was led by Jayln Johnson who had 32 points on 17-of-22 from the line and 6-of-11 from the field. Allison Baggett was held to 13 points on just 3-of-9 shooting while Mercedes Rogers posted a double-double with 11 points and 11 boards. The Cowgirls made just 4-of-22 three-point attempts on the night.

The Privateers next travel to Conway to face Central Arkansas. Tip is for 12 p.m. and the game will be aired on ESPN3.

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.