Hattiesburg, Mississippi- Despite a career high 15 points off the bench by sophomore guard
Danielle Wright, the University of New Orleans women's basketball team fell to the University of Southern Mississippi in Hattiesburg, Mississippi, 78-53. It was the second road game in three days for the Privateers after dropping the season opener to the University of Alabama in Tuscaloosa, 78-57.
Wright supplied 15 points and 5 rebounds off the bench in 29 minutes of action. The Morrilton, Arkansas native was 2-for-4 from beyond the 3-point arc---the only three pointers of the day for UNO. Her previous career high was 8 points against Ole Miss last season.
"She (Wright) knew that Southern Miss would work hard to stop Randi (Brown) and that opened scoring opportunities for her and she took advantage," said Privateer head coach Keeshawn Carter. "It gave her wide open three-pointers but most of Danielle's efforts started on the defensive end."
Wright had 2 steals and all of her five rebounds came on the defensive end.
UNO's leading scorer
Randi Brown had 18 points in 29 minutes of action. The sharpshooter had 26 in the loss to Alabama.
"Randi had a good outing because she handled the box and one defense with poise," Carter added, "But that's why Danielle's play was so good to see because Randi will need help every night."
The Privateers' only lead was early in the contest, 3-2 at the 7:43 mark of the first quarter thanks to a jumper by sophomore
Shania Woods who had 9 points and 6 rebounds. The Golden Eagles led 19-7 after the first period.
USM pulled away in the second quarter with a 12-0 run, stretching a 22-9 lead to 34-9 with Brittany Dinkins leading the way. Dinkins, who scored 8 of the 12 points during the blitz was USM's leading scorer on the afternoon with 18 points. The Golden Eagles led at the half 43-23. Brown (8) Woods (8) and Wright (7) were the only Privateer scorers in the first half.
The lead would reach 34 during the final quarter, however the second half was a 5-point game as USM outscored the Privateers 35-30. Davenport says that was encouraging.
"You've got to play a 40-minute game. I thought against Alabama we played well in the first half but not in the second. Today with the points off turnovers especially in the first half (18) we didn't play well. But we were able to make it a 5-point game in the second half."
New Orleans falls to 0-2 on the season and will make their home debut Tuesday, Nov. 15, at Lakefront Arena against Blue Mountain College. Tip-off is set for 7 pm. 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--
