NEW ORLEANS- The University of New Orleans women's basketball team will open the 2016-17 season on the road against the University of Alabama, Friday, Nov. 11, in Tuscaloosa, Alabama.
The Privateers hope to improve on last year's record of 8-19 overall and 5-13 in Southland Conference play as they return nine letterwinners and welcome six newcomers to the roster. The last time UNO and Alabama met on the court was Dec. 21, 2014, when Alabama earned an 87-58 victory in Tuscaloosa.
In her sixth season as head coach at her alma mater,
Keeshawn Davenport says she's excited about the season and is anxious to see if the team can carry over the good things she's witnessed in preseason practices.
"We've had great improvement in overall effort and energy along with execution on the defensive end and converting right away on offense," says Davenport.
New Orleans is led by junior guard
Randi Brown, a First-Team Preseason All-Southland Conference selection. Brown averaged 17.3 points as a sophomore and Davenport expects bigger things this season---remaining healthy is the key.
"Randi has dropped a few pounds so she's in better condition," Davenport added. "The fact that she took five charging fouls in our preseason scrimmages shows she has improved on the defensive end of the floor. The good thing about it is she knows she does not have to do it alone anymore but they know she's the go-to person and her teammates make it easy for her.
A native of Houma, Louisiana, Brown was a third team All-Southland Conference and All-Louisiana Sportswriter's Association selection last season. Returnees joining Brown are sophomore
Shania Woods, junior Hallie Matthews, and senior
Ariele Davis.
Woods, a 6-1 post player from, Cypress, Texas, led the Privateers in rebounds (5.5) last year and was second in scoring with 7.3 a game. Woods had an 18-point, 18-rebound outing against conference rival Southeastern Louisiana on Mar. 3, 2015. A native of Harvey, Louisiana, Matthews was the team leader in blocks (23) and third in rebounds (3.3). Davenport also expects Davis, who hails from Alexandria, Louisiana, to make tremendous strides this season after standing out in preseason drills. Davis had 9 points and 3 assists the last time UNO faced Alabama in 2014.
"Ariele is that senior leader through work ethic, how-to, and let me talk you." Davenport added, "It's important that she takes what she has work so hard for during the off season and convert that into the game."
Other returnees are 6-0 senior forward
Raven Coleman of Marrero, Louisiana, 5-11
Jewel Angelo a guard from Manvel, Texas, and 5-3 point guard
Mariah Wright who Davenport says could be a starter this season. They are joined by junior guard
Kayla Mundy and sophomore guard
Danielle Wright.
The newcomers are led by
Asia Woods, younger sister of Shania. The six footer from Cypress, Texas, will start against Alabama. Woods was a 3A All-State selection at Lutheran High School.
The younger Woods is joined by 6-1 forward
Whitley Larry, 5-10 guard
Jada Swafford and
Alyssa Quixley a 5-9 guard.
The other newcomers are transfers. Guard
Margaux Jacob is a sophomore point guard from Lons-le Saunier, France, and
Katarina Maricic is a 5-4 sharpshooter from Belgrade, Serbia, who spent two years at Arizona Western Junior College.
Alabama returns seven letterwinners from a team that reached the Women's National Invitation Tournament falling in round one to Tulane. The Tide is bolstered by the return of junior Ashley Williams who sat out all of last season after leading the Crimson Tide in points (13.7) and rebounds (9.1) in 2014-2015.
Alabama leads the overall series 3-1, and the contest will be televised on SEC Network Plus.
New Orleans faces Southern Mississippi Sunday, Nov. 13, in Hattiesburg, Mississippi, before returning to the Lakefront to open their home schedule, Tuesday, Nov. 15, at 7 p.m. against Blue Mountain College. For tickets to that game and other Privateer Athletics events, contact the UNO Athletics Ticket Office at (504) 280-GAME (4263) or via the Internet by clicking
HERE.
--www.UNOPrivateers.com--
