Women's Basketball Looks to Keep Rolling at Home Against Houston Baptist

HOUSTON BAPTIST AT NEW ORLEANS
SATURDAY, JAN. 16 | 4 PM
LAKEFRONT ARENA | NEW ORLEANS, LA.

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The New Orleans Privateers women's basketball team (5-8, 2-2 Southland) coming off a thrilling Thursday victory, now turns their attention to the Houston Baptist Huskies (7-8, 2-3) on Saturday in a game that will be broadcast on ESPN3. Tip is scheduled for 4 p.m.
 
The Privateers are coming off a 58-57 home victory against Stephen F. Austin on Thursday evening. Randi Brown banked in a three-pointer with 0.2 seconds left to give the Privateers the win in a game they led for over 25 minutes including most of the second half. Brown finished with 20 points in the victory and hit seven of her last nine shots.
 
"It shows the growth in the team and it always does a coach well when you can see your team maturing," said Coach Keeshawn Davenport. "A lot of these young ladies have been with me since they were freshmen. Last night it wasn't so much about playing not to lose, but they played to win and that's always fun to watch when you see the transition in your players. That's what they did last night- they found a way to win."
 
The Privateers continue to crash the boards with consistency, pulling in another 44 rebounds on Thursday. New Orleans out-rebounded Stephen F. Austin by 17 and currently holds the second best rebounding margin in the Southland. Bria Platenburg and Shania Woods each rank in the top 15 in the conference in offensive rebounds per game.
 
All-time, New Orleans is 1-3 against Houston Baptist. The Privateers won their only contest against the Huskies on Feb. 9, 2013. Saturday will mark the second meeting between the two teams at the Lakefront where the Privateers have been stellar of late. Dating back to February of last season, New Orleans is 9-2 at home.
 
Houston Baptist brings the conference's leading rebounder in Anna Strickland who is fourth in the nation (13.2 rebounds per game). Strickland is also averaging 13.2 points per contest which leads the team. The Huskies lost their last outing 45-44 to Central Arkansas.
 
"You're about to see grit meet grit. It's about to be an all out battle. I think Coach Finnie has done a great job of getting those ladies to buy in and they have a lot of size so I feel like tomorrow is going to be size versus quickness. I expect nothing but their best effort. They're well coached, they play hard, and it's going to be another 40-minute game," said Davenport.
 
Mathilde Fogelstrom has started four straight games and has factored in on both ends of the floor. On Thursday, Fogelstrom had eight points, and six rebounds. Fogelstrom played her most extended action (27 minutes) against Incarnate Word.
 
Davenport attributes the team's progress to how the team has practiced. "We tell them every day in practice that you will play the way you practice. We preach go hard against each other in practice. Play like the opponents are going to play us and that's something we didn't do early on. I challenge them in practice to make each other better."
 
The Huskies are coming off a Southland Tournament finals appearance last season as the 8-seed. Donna Finnie is in her third season at the helm for a Huskies squad that ranks fourth in the Southland in field goal percentage.
 
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.