Women's Basketball Records Comfortable Win over Incarnate Word,84-58

New Orleans, Louisiana- The University of New Orleans women's basketball team committed a season-low 3 turnovers and held Incarnate Word to 7 points in the second quarter and 6 in the third as they defeated the Cardinals 84-58, Thursday, at Lakefront Arena.
 
UNO (12-10-7-5) also displayed great scoring balance as six players scored at least nine points and the 84-point total was a season-high in conference games this season. Incarnate Word fell to 6-17 overall and 4-8 in Southland Conference (SLC) competition.
 
"It was an awesome job!" said head coach Keeshawn Davenport.  "Right now this team is laser focused on taking it one game at a time and getting ourselves in a good position to get to Katy and winning it all."
 
Katy, Texas is the site of the Southland Conference Basketball Tournament in March.
 
New Orleans led 22-21 at the close of the first quarter, thanks to 9 points by guard Mariah Wright (Computer Science).  The sophomore finished the night with 11 points, 4 assists and 3 rebounds.
 
The contest was decided in the second period as UNO outscored Incarnate Word 19-7.  The Cardinals were held to 3-of-13 from the field in the period (23.1 percent) and UIW was scoreless for the final 5:18 of the quarter.  New Orleans took a 13-point, 41-28 lead into halftime and did not commit a turnover in the first 20 minutes of action.
 
"When I looked at the halftime score sheet and saw we committed zero turnovers I just couldn't believe my eyes," said Davenport.  "No turnovers for us and we forced 14 in the first half?  I'm very proud of them."
 
New Orleans was even better in the third quarter, holding Incarnate Word to 6 points while riding the wave of a 20-2 run in the period, increasing their advantage to 29 points at 63-34 and they cruised the rest of the way.
 
Randi Brown (Human Performance), the leading scorer in the Southland Conference led all scorers with 21 points.   She also grabbed 4 rebounds, dished out 4 assists and had 4 steals. The junior moved into sixth place among all-time scorers in Privateer history passing Michelle Anderson (1980-84).  Brown has 1,258 career-points.
 
Jewel Angelo (Interdisciplinary Studies) contributed 11 points off the bench and Halie Matthews (Biological Sciences) Hit double figures in scoring for the fourth straight game with 10 points.  Sophomore center Shania Woods (Accounting) had 9 points and 6 rebounds while Kayla Mundy (Human Performance) had 9 points, a team-high 10 rebounds and 2 steals.   New Orleans had 12 thefts on the night.
 
Imani Robinson led Incarnate Word in scoring with 20.  Celia Garcia Paunero, the Cardinals leader in points and rebounds, was held to 14 points on 6-of-18 shooting and grabbed 7 rebounds, 3 below her league-leading average.
 
"We really needed to limit her touches and shots.  Holding her to 2 points in the second half and keeping her under 10 rebounds was key.  Kayla Mundy did a good job boxing her out and took away some of those rebounds," said Davenport.
 
The Privateers will hit the court again Saturday, Feb. 11, when they travel to Hammond, Louisiana to face Southeastern Louisiana at 3 p. m.  Their next home game will be Thursday, Feb. 16, when they entertain the Cowgirls of Mc Neese State University.  Tipoff is 7 p. m.
 
For tickets to all Privateer Athletics events, contact the UNO Athletics Ticket Office at (504) 280-GAME (4263) or via the Internet by clicking HERE.
    
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