Privateers' Season Finale Holds Conference Tournament Berth in the Balance

NEW ORLEANS (7-19, 5-12) AT NORTHWESTERN STATE (15-13, 10-7)
GAME 27 | MARCH 7 | 1:00 PM CT
NATCHITOCHES, LA. | PRATHER COLISEUM
 
GAME NOTES | LIVE STATS | TWITTER | AUDIO/VIDEO

THE GAME:
The New Orleans Privateers women's basketball team (7-19, 5-12) carries a three-game winning streak into the season finale against the Northwestern State Lady Demons (15-13, 10-7) on Saturday at Prather Coliseum. Tip is scheduled for 1 p.m.
 
After being a long shot for qualification in the conference tournament a month ago, the Privateers have engineered a furious close to pull to a tie for the eighth and final spot with Sam Houston State and Houston Baptist. The Privateers were four back with five games left in the season.
 
Northwestern State is locked into the tournament and is in a three-way tie for fifth. The Lady Demons held Stephen F. Austin to 18 points in the first half of their last outing, but fell in a defensive battle 56-45. Janelle Perez had 18 points (6-24 FG) in the loss. The Lady Demons own the third best scoring defense in the conference with 61.5 PPG allowed.
 
COVERAGE:
LIVE STATS: Statistical updates will be available on nsudemons.com.
AUDIO/VIDEO: The broadcast will be available on nsudemons.com/watch.
TWITTER: You can follow the Privateers women's basketball team on Twitter for updates of the game.
 
LAST TIME OUT:
The Privateers used a 9-0 run early in the second half to gain an eight-point lead and defeat Southeastern 84-75 on Thursday in the home finale. Randi Brown dropped 30 points, matching a career-high. Alexis Martin also had a season best scoring effort, posting 13 points for her second double figure scoring output of the season.
 
QUALIFICATION SCENARIO:
If the Privateers win and both Sam Houston State and Houston Baptist lose, then the conference tournament awaits in Katy, Texas next week (Mar. 11-15).
 
NEWS AND NOTES:
TIC TAC TOE, THREE IN A ROW:
The Privateers have pulled off three straight wins for the first time since a non-conference stretch that started in late November, 2009 and included wins against Georgia Southern, Southeastern, and Longwood. The last time New Orleans had three straight conference wins was during the 2007-08 season against Florida International, Florida Atlantic, and Troy.
 
VALUE SIZE:
Since conference play began, New Orleans has the fifth-best turnover ratio in the conference (+0.24). Over the last two games, the Privateers have been +11 in the turnover department, and they committed three fewer miscues against Southeastern on Thursday.
 
POINTS A PLENTY:
The 84 points scored was the most in regulation against a Division-I opponent since Jan. 10, 2010 when the Privateers put up the same total against North Texas. The total fell just shy of a season-best in regulation (87 vs Crowley's Ridge).
 
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.