CORPUS CHRISTI, Texas – Kayla Thomas posted 13 points and eight rebounds and the Privateers held Texas A&M-Corpus Christi (10-6, 4-1 Southland) to 25.0 percent shooting, but New Orleans (5-10, 1-5 Southland) fell to the Islanders 57-51 Saturday afternoon at the American Bank Center.
Thomas' first start of the season featured the center reach double figures for the fourth time this season.
Jada Duncantell finished with five steals.
FIRST QUARTER
The Privateers and Islanders traded points and the close opening quarter went to Texas A&M-Corpus Christi 16-15. Thomas led the club with four points and UNO defense closed the quarter holding the 'Ders scoreless through 3:09.
Shania Woods and Duncantell swiped two passes apiece.
SECOND QUARTER
Down three with 6:07 remaining in the first half,
Whitley Larry was left open and connected on her first triple of the season to tie the game at 20-all.
Moments later,
Traya Bruce stepped back from long distance to knot the game at 23. The Islanders were able to take a three-point lead to the break (26-23).
Thomas led the club with six points and three rebounds in her first career start as a Privateer.
Jana Thomas-Reid and
Asia Woods collected a block each.
THIRD QUARTER
A&M-Corpus Christi extended its lead to 38-31, but the Privateers scored the quarter's final three points following Duncantell's steal and layup, heading into the final period down 38-34.
Heading into the final quarter, UNO was outrebounding TAMUCC 35-to-32, but the 'Ders forced 21 turnovers.
FOURTH QUARTER
Thomas' free throws at the 7:56 mark cut the Islanders lead to one and put the center in double figures for the fourth time this season.
With six minutes to go,
Alyssa Quixley's drive to the basket again made it a one-possession ballgame. The back and forth continued with UNO cutting the TAMUCC lead to one with 1:41 remaining on Thomas' layup. The Islanders let the shot clock run down and with 21.6 ticks, drove to the basket to head to the line for a pair and a three-point lead.
Dalesia Booth made the backend for a four-point cushion. Following a timeout, UNO attempted a three that was partly blocked and Emma Young made both from the charity stripe.
The 'Ders were able to connect on late free throws to improve to 4-1 in conference play.
NEXT UP
The Privateers host Central Arkansas Wednesday at 7 p.m. at Lakefront Arena.
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