New Orleans, Louisiana- In a see-saw battle featuring 8 lead changes and six ties, the University of New Orleans women's basketball team fell to the University of South Alabama, 65-62, Saturday afternoon at Lakefront Arena.
The Privateers got 27 points from the reserves, led by freshman
Jada Swafford (Psychology) with 15 points, however first half turnovers set the tone for the game as UNO committed 16 in the first half.
"We've got to take care of the ball. We turned the ball over in the first half and that gave them hope," said Privateer head coach
Keeshawn Davenport.
Despite the miscues, New Orleans (1-3) went into intermission with a 28-27 lead thanks to 15 first-half bench points sparked by
Jewel Angelo (Interdisciplinary Studies) with 5, and Swafford and
Kayla Mundy (Human Performance) with 4 each. UNO's largest lead of the first half was four, 28-24, when
Shania Woods (Accounting) scored, was fouled, and converted the three-point play.
The sophomore had 9 points and 9 rebounds.
The Privateers outscored the Jaguars in the third quarter 21-16. A 31-31 deadlock quickly turned into a seven point, 40-33 New Orleans advantage when
Randi Brown (Human Performance) keyed a 9-2 run with seven of her 17 points on the day. New Orleans led after three periods, 49-43.
"I challenged them to come out in the second half and be aggressive but we didn't finish strong." Davenport added, "We've got to make sure we play four ten-minute quarters."
South Alabama took its first lead of the second half at 6:04 of the fourth quarter when Colby Davis' jumper made it 53-52, Jaguars. Davis had 17 points.
With 59 seconds to go in the game, UNO drew within a point of South Alabama, 61-6,0 on a
Jada Swafford jumper. The freshman from Alexandria, Louisiana was 5-of-7 from the field and 4-of-6 from the free throw line.
"Jada is a playmaker," beamed Davenport. "She can put the ball in the basket and she can create for others and open up their scoring. She has the potential to be a freshman of the year in the Southland Conference."
South Alabama (2-2) was led by guard Candice Williams with 18 points and center Chyna Ellis chipped in 14.
Brown and Swafford were the only Privateers in double figures.
UNO outrebounded the taller Jaguars 40-to-35.
The Privateers will travel to Jacksonville State, Tuesday, Nov.22, for a 5:30 p. m. encounter. New Orleans' next home game is Wednesday, Nov. 30, 5:30 p. m. at Lakefront Arena when Texas Southern comes to town.
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--
