New Orleans- One thing is certain. The winner of the New Orleans (5-10, 1-5 Southland) vs. Central Arkansas (6-10, 1-5 Southland) game will move out of the cellar of the Southland Conference (SLC).
The two teams with identical conference records will face-off Wednesday, Jan. 23, at Lakefront Arena in New Orleans. Tipoff is 7 p. m.
Despite limiting Texas A&M-Corpus Christi to 16-of-63 from the field (25.4%), New Orleans fell to the Islanders in their last outing 57-51. Central Arkansas (UCA) dropped its last contest to defending tournament champ Nicholls State, 64-60.
Shania Woods continues to led the Privateers in scoring and rebounding averaging 13.5 points and 8.8 rebounds. She is the conference's second leading rebounder and has 7 double-doubles during her senior season.
However, UNO received another good performance from 6-5 center
Kayla Thomas. The sophomore hit 13 points and collected 8 rebounds in only 12 minutes of action before fouling out against A&M-CC
. It was the first start for the Philadelphia, Pennsylvania native.
"I had her sit down and write out her goals for the second half of the season," said head coach
Keeshawn Davenport. "I feel like she saw those goals and has taken them seriously. As a result, she has become more productive for herself, the team and she's earned a starting position."
Junior
Whitley Larry out of Rayne, Louisiana ranks 8
th in the SLC in rebounds at 6.8 a contest and 2
nd in shot blocks with 27 total for 1.7 a game.
Kamry Orr, a 5-6 senior guard, is Central Arkansas' leading scorer at 14.1 an outing. Orr has reached double figures 13 times in 16 games. Her season-high was 27 against Texas A&M-CC.
UCA ranks 1
st in the Southland Conference in scoring defense at 55.9 points a game.
"They're just like us, they are hungry for a win. Only one game separates 8 thru 13 in the conference. So they'll come in hungry knowing we stole one from them last year at their place so they'll come in looking for revenge."
The Sugar Bears lead the all-time series 5-1. However New Orleans took the last meeting last year in Conway, Arkansas, 52-48.
Up Next
The Privateers will travel to San Antonio to face Incarnate Word, Saturday, Jan. 26 at 12;15 p. m.
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