MEMPHIS, Tenn. - Strong second half defense and key contributions throughout the lineup helped fuel a 66-59 victory for the New Orleans Privateers (3-3) over the Memphis Tigers (2-6) on Tuesday at Elma Roane Fieldhouse.
Shania Woods recorded a double-double with 14 points and 13 rebounds. 11 of her boards came in the second half. The 13 boards vaulted Woods into eighth place in program history, surpassing Carmen Reed.
Traya Bruce led all scorers with 16 points.
Whitley Larry also chipped with 10 points to round out the double figure scorers on the evening.
HOW IT HAPPENED
The Privateers held Memphis without a field goal until the 4:21 mark of the fourth quarter. New Orleans held strong to the finish, helped by four made free throws between Bruce and Woods in the final minute to help seal the victory.
Memphis went to the half with a narrow 37-36 lead over the Privateers in a first half that featured four lead changes and three ties. The Privateers hung in despite Memphis shooting 57.1 percent from the field over the first 20 minutes.
The Privateers locked Memphis down defensively in the second half, allowing the Tigers to shoot just 25.8 percent from the field. With New Orleans leading by four entering the fourth quarter, the Tigers missed their first six shots from the field. Meanwhile, New Orleans pulled to their largest lead of the game at 56-47 with 7:22 left.
Early threes helped fuel a 10-2 run to start the game for New Orleans. Bruce and
Dionjhae Thomas hit triples to get the Privateers' offense going. Everyone got involved in a high-scoring first quarter that saw New Orleans lead 22-19.
Pebbles Pimpton was instrumental as well, hitting a buzzer beater at the end of the second quarter and completing a three-point play at the conclusion of the third. Pimpton scored seven points, added three rebounds, and two assists.
KEY STAT
Jada Duncantell impacted the game on both ends of the floor. Duncantell had six points, five assists, and four steals while not committing a turnover in 19 minutes. The Privateers forced 20 turnovers, six more than they committed. The Privateers out-scored Memphis 16-6 in points off turnovers.
FROM THE COACH
"This team right here, I love them. They're resilient and I think they got over the hump. This was a good follow-up to the good performance at Rice. This was a tough turn around but they stuck together and pulled it off. I couldn't be more pleased with their effort on the court."
"One of our defensive goals was to have a single digit quarter. And we came out of the locker room and got a single digit third quarter. Going from 72 percent in the second quarter to 18 was a credit to the defense."
"We got our 20 turnovers and took care of the ball as well as possible. I'm just awfully proud of this team."
"That's great stats from a point guard. J.D. had zero turnovers with four steals and five assists. I love those types of stats and I don't think any was bigger than the one near the end that put us at the line for free throws."
NEXT UP
The Privateers conclude their three-game road swing in Miami against the nationally ranked Hurricanes on Sunday. Tip is slated for 12 p.m.
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