New Orleans- Senior Shania Woods turned in her second double-double of the season and junior Whitley Larry grabbed a season- high 15 rebounds as the New Orleans Privateers defeated Dillard University, Wednesday at Lakefront Arena, 68-59.  
The Privateers evened their record at 4-4 despite committing 31 turnovers leading to 19 points by the Bleu Devils (8-5).  However the post-play of Woods who had 22 points and 13 rebounds and Larry, from Rayne, Louisiana, with 8 points, a game-high 15 rebounds and 4 blocks, made the difference.
 
"Pretty win or ugly win, a win is a win," said head coach Keeshawn Davenport.  "These ladies are tired after playing four games in 11 days, we are in finals, we've traveled and changed time zones, the mental and physical stress takes a toll so we'll give them a couple days off."
 
FIRST QUARTER
 
Dillard won the first quarter, 18-15, by taking an early lead,  the largest advantage coming at the 5:35 mark when an Adriana Jackson jumper made it 12-6.  Paige Williams, who would foul out with 10 points in only 15 minutes of play, led the Bleu Devils with 7 points in the period.  Jana Thomas Reid paced the Privateers with 4 points off the bench.
 
SECOND QUARTER
 
UNO took control in the second quarter opening with a 7-0 run as Traya Bruce hit a 3-pointer, Whitley Larry scored with a layup and a basket by point guard Jada Duncantell gave New Orleans a 22-18 lead a mere :58 seconds into the quarter.  Four free throws by Whitley Larry and Dionjhae Thomas late in the period stretched the lead to nine, 33-24 at the half as New Orleans won the quarter 16-6. Woods grabbed seven of her 13 rebounds in this period.
 
THIRD QUARTER
 
Despite a 10-point third quarter for Shania Woods, Dillard outscored New Orleans, 19-14, to pull within 4 points, 47-43.  The Privateers led by 15 at 42-27 at the 4:58 mark.  A 16-5 run by the Bleu Devils closed the gap to four, 47-43 at the end of the third.
 
FOURTH QUARTER
 
Woods took over in the final period with another double-digit effort scoring 10 points and dishing out 2 assists.  The largest lead for the Privateers was 12 during the quarter as UNO outscored Dillard 21-16 and the visitors never really threatened in the late stages. New Orleans picked up win number 4 of the season.
 
Jada Duncantell followed Woods in scoring with 9 points on the day.  Freshman Traya Bruce had 8 and Asia Woods had 6 off the bench along with 2 rebounds and a steal in only 10 minutes of action.
 
COACH'S COMMENTS
 
ON WHITLEY LARRY:
 
"Whitley still needs confidence-builders even though she's a junior.  That was a great job for her.  When I look at 59 rebounds, 21 offensive, 38 defensive, that's a great job.
 
ON 31 TURNOVERS:
 
"I almost fell out when I saw 31 turnovers.  We have got to take better care of the ball and taking nothing away from Dillard most of those were not forced turnovers."  
 
ON WINNING
 
"For them to come out and find a way to win is what I'm talking about when I talk about progress as a team.  When the tournament comes around you've got to play every day and you have to be gutsy and find a way to keep going.  They did that and I'm proud of them."
 
Up Next
 
The Privateers will return to the court Saturday, Dec. 22, on the road when they face Xavier of Ohio in Cincinnati at 11 a. m.
 
Be sure to follow @UNOPrivateers on Twitter, @UNOPrivateers on Instagram, like /UNOPrivateers on Facebook and subscribe to the PrivateerAthletics YouTube channel.
 
--www.UNOPrivateers.com--