Women's Hoops Takes on Southeastern in Penultimate Game of 15-16 Season

SOUTHEASTERN AT NEW ORLEANS
THURSDAY, MARCH 3 | 5:30 PM
LAKEFRONT ARENA | NEW ORLEANS, LA.

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The University of New Orleans women's basketball team (7-18, 4-12 Southland) looks for a strong close to the regular season at home as they begin the final week of the 2015-16 slate against the Southeastern Lady Lions (4-23, 3-13) on Thursday at the Lakefront Arena. Tip is scheduled for 5:30 p.m.
 
The Privateers fell 80-70 in their last game against Southland leader, Abilene Christian. Alexis Martin broke her career high in points for a second consecutive game, posting 17 against the Wildcats. Martin was one of four Privateers in double figures and UNO shot 45.8 percent from the field and was 13-of-17 from the free throw line.
 
Coach Keeshawn Davenport is looking at this last week as a chance to close the season on a high note. By no stretch of my imagination did I think this is where we would be, but our stance is to finish strong. We still have a chance to finish the season on a winning note again. So our focus is to get better here and definitely finish strong at home."
 
The Privateers have been able to rely on the scoring presence of Randi Brown for the year. Brown is averaging 17.3 points per game, which ranks third in the Southland. Lately it has been Martin who has provided more scoring. Martin posted 14 points against Nicholls ahead of her 17-point performance at Abilene Christian. Martin has started in 23 of 25 games this year.
 
In the second half of recent play, the Privateers have thrown a block party. UNO had a season-best in blocks during the second meeting against McNeese State on Feb. 2 and has moved into a tie for fourth in the conference in blocks per game.
 
New Orleans will be facing a team which they had some of their best success against on the defensive end of the floor on Thursday. In the first meeting against Southeastern, the Privateers allowed single digit points in each of the first three quarters on their way to a 62-51 win. The Privateers also held Southeastern to 29.9 percent from the field.
 
"We want to focus on the little things," said Davenport We need to continue to rebound, take care of the ball, and win on the defensive end. Also, we need to get back to keeping these teams 55 points or below so we're looking for a very strong defensive presence these last two games."
 
The Lady Lions fell short in their home finale against current top seed in the Southland tournament, Central Arkansas by a 64-60 score line. Nanna Pool scored 25 points and hauled in nine boards and Southeastern shot 58.3 percent from the field in the second half, but was narrowly out-dueled 24-20 in the final quarter.
 
Pool is sixth in the conference in scoring at 15.3 points per game and third in rebounding at 9.2 boards per game. As a team, the Lady Lions are fifth in the conference at 38.4 boards per game. In road games, Southeastern is 1-13 on the season.
 
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.