NEW ORLEANS - New Orleans (5-8, 1-3 SLC) turned a three-point halftime deficit into a 15-point lead at the end of three periods and picked up their first Southland Conference win of the season, 88-76 over the McNeese State Cowgirls (2-13, 0-4 SLC) Saturday at Lakefront Arena.
Senior center
Shania Woods picked up her fifth double-double in the last six games with 22 points and 11 rebounds.
Alyssa Quixley produced 21 points off the bench and 6-5 junior
Kayla Thomas had 15 points in only 16 minutes of action as UNO finally cracked the win-column in Southland play.
"It was a great team effort and we're very happy to get this first conference win," said head coach
Keeshawn Davenport "The game plan was box out, rebound against this good rebounding team, and run. That's what we did."
McNeese, one of the better rebounding teams in the conference, led at the break 42-39, thanks to a 26-18 advantage in rebounds. But that changed in the third quarter as New Orleans outscored the Cowgirls 29-11 and outrebounded McNeese in the third, 17-6.
New Orleans scored the first eight points of the second half on consecutive layups by
Shania Woods,
Dionjhae Thomas, another by Woods and a basket by
Whitley Larry to make it 47-42, Privateers after only 1:25 expired in the quarter.
Alyssa Quixley had 9 points in the third period, Woods had 6 points and 5 rebounds and Thomas had 6 points and 4 boards. UNO had an 18-6 points-in-the-paint advantage and 8-0 in second-chance-points as New Orleans took a 68-53 lead into the final period.
The Privateers held a double-digit lead through most of the final quarter. The Cowgirls cut it to single digits late in the game pulling to within 8 in the final minute of the contest. But a quartet of free throws by Allyssa Quixley (10-of-10 from the line) and
Shania Woods, closed the door and New Orleans had a victory.
Whitley Larry had 6 points, 8 rebounds and the conference's leading shot blocker had 2 against McNeese. Point guard
Jada Duncantell had 7 points, and led the club in assists (4) and steals (5). Freshman
Traya Bruce had 9 points all coming from beyond the 3-point arch.
COACH'S COMMENTS
ON ALYSSA QUIXLEY:
"I really like the way Alyssa is playing with confidence. She's talking and getting everyone involved. She wanted the ball at the end because she knew she would hit those free throws. What you all don't see is her leadership at practice and in the locker room. And remember she's not a starter but she pushes the starters."
ON KAYLA THOMAS:
"A game like this has to be a great confidence booster for her. When you have that size advantage you have to use that. Kayla playing in those high-low situations is what did it for us in the third quarter."
Up Next
New Orleans will hit the road, Wednesday, Jan. 16 for s Southland Conference match with Stephen F. Austin in Nacogdoches, Texas. Tipoff is 6:30 p. m.
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