GAME BOOK (PDF)
NEW ORLEANS - Homecoming was a winner for the University of New Orleans women's basketball team. With five players in double figures, led by
Randi Brown (Human Performance) with 23 points, the Privateers defeated Nicholls State Saturday evening at Lakefront Arena, 81-77.
The win was an important one for New Orleans (11-10,6-5), breaking a tie in the Southland Conference standings with Nicholls State (8-14,5-6) as both teams came into the game with identical 5-5 records in conference play.
"I'm extremely proud of them, it was a great homecoming win and an ugly win is much better than a pretty loss," said head coach
Keeshawn Davenport.
Nicholls led at the end of the first period 11-10. In the second period, the Colonels showed why they are the top 3-point shooting club in the league connecting on five 3-point shots in the quarter. Tia Charles connected on two of those long range jumpers and Nicholls State went into the intermission with a two-point, 31-29 lead. Charles had 15 first half points and finished with a game-high 25.
The third quarter saw New Orleans regain the lead thanks to bench scoring. Non Starters scored 14 of the Privateers 26 third quarter points. Junior guard
Kayla Mundy Human Performance) led the way with 8 points in the period and she would finish with 16 on 7-of-9 from the field.
Senior
Jewel Angelo Interdisciplinary Studies) had 2 crucial baskets late in the third and she finished with 12 off the bench as UNO took a 2 point, 55-53 lead into the final period.
"I thought we would have greater front court presence against their shorter team but that did not happen," said Davenport. "When we went four guards and one post at the end of the half, we actually picked up the tempo. I started that group in the second half and they just tuned in and refused to lose."
The Colonels took their largest lead of the second half at the 5:29 mark of the fourth quarter when Cassidy Barrios (20 Points) hit a lay up to make it 69-65 Nicholls State.
The Privateers regained the lead at 74-72 when
Halie Matthews (Biological Sciences) scored, was fouled and completed the old-fashion 3-point play with a free throw with 1:32 to go in the game. Matthews turned in her third consecutive double figure night with 15 points and 6 rebounds.
The rest of UNO's points would come at the free throw line as
Randi Brown canned seven free throws in the final 39 seconds of play. The leading scorer in the Southland Conference tallied 23 points, dished out 4 assists and found time to block 4 shots.
"I don't care if it's free throws or the last 3-point attempt, I want the ball in
Randi Brown's hands and the end of the game. But kudos go to
Kayla Mundy and
Jewel Angelo for stepping up," Davenport added.
Shania Woods (Accounting) had 13 points—11 coming in the second half—and grabbed a team-high 7 rebounds.
New Orleans got 43 points from its bench and committed only 14 turnovers in the game.
Jewel Angelo also led the Privateers with 7 assists.
The game featured a reunion of former UNO players as part of homecoming festivities. Over 30 former Privateers participated and Joey Favaloro, the winningest coach in women's basketball history at UNO was honored during the game.
The Privateers return to the court Thursday, Feb. 9 when Incarnate Word comes to Lakefront Arena. Tipoff is set for 7 p. m.
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--
