New Orleans, Louisiana- The University of New Orleans women's basketball team continues its travels through Texas, Thursday, Jan 5, with a stop in Beaumont, Texas to face one of the hottest teams in the Southland Conference, the Lamar Cardinals. Tipoff is set for 5:30 p. m.
New Orleans (6-6 overall, 1-1 conference) dropped its first conference game of the season, 68-55 to Abilene Christian Tuesday night in Abilene, Texas. Lamar (8-3 overall, 1-0 conference) played its last game Jan. 2, an impressive win on the road over Central Arkansas, 70-56. The Cardinals have won seven in a row.
"They are certainly one of the best teams in the conference," said head coach Keeshawn Davenport. "We're going to see 40 minutes of pressing and they are a great team at home (6-0), so we should see some good basketball Thursday."
After a 16-point effort in the loss to Abilene Christian, Randi Brown (Human Performance) continues to lead the Southland Conference (SLC) in scoring at 21.4 points per game. The junior experienced a highly-decorated week being named Southland Conference, Louisiana Sportswriters Association, and College Sports Madness Player of the Week on Jan.2. College Sports Madness also tabbed her National Mid-Major Player of the Week.
Shania Woods (Accounting) ranks second in scoring (8.2) and leads the team in rebounds grabbing 7.2 a game. Woods had a season and career-high 5 blocked shots against Abilene Christian.
Jewel Angelo (Interdisciplinary Studies) had 12 points against Abilene for her sixth double figure performance of the season. She hit double digits once during the 2015-16 season. The senior, who has not started a game this season, averages 8.1 points a game.
Sophomore point guard Mariah Wright (Computer Science), who has started every game this season, had 8 points, 4 rebounds and 3 assists against Abilene Christian.
As a team, UNO leads the Southland Conference in 3-point field goal percentage hitting 68-of-187 for .364. and they rank 3rd in overall field goal percentage at .425. The Privateers ranked fourth in scoring margin at +7.6 scoring 71.2 a contest while yielding 63.7 points a game.
Lamar is led by Moe Kinard, a sophomore guard who poured in 25 points in the victory over Central Arkansas. A transfer from the University of Houston, she averages 15 points and 4 rebounds a game. Kiandra Bowers is a 5-11 post player averaging 12.5 points and a team-leading 9.5 rebounds a game---second in the conference. Chastadie Barrs leads the Southland in assists (6.0) and steals (4.9).
The Cardinals rank second in the conference in scoring offense (74.6) and second in scoring defense (59.8) for a point differential of +14.8, ranking second best in the league. They also average 4 blocked shots per game to lead the conference. Lamar also paces the SLC in turnover margin at +9.82.
"I've said it before, this is a very tough road trip we're on right now. Over the next 72 hours or more we're playing three teams in the top five in the conference," said Davenport.
New Orleans will close the Lone Star State swing Saturday, Jan. 7, against Incarnate Word in San Antonio. They'll return to Lakefront Arena, Thursday, Jan. 12 against Sam Houston State. The 5:30 p. m. contest is the opener of a doubleheader as the New Orleans men will face Sam Houston State at 7:45 p. m.
For tickets to those games 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--
