NEW ORLEANS FACES INCARNATE WORD CARDINALS ON THE ROAD SATURDAY

San Antonio- The University of New Orleans Privateers (5-11, 1-6 Southland) will try to erase the memory of a disappointing loss at home when they head to San Antonio, Texas to face the University of the Incarnate Word, Saturday, Jan. 26 at the McDermott Center.   Tipoff is 12:15 p. m.
 
 The Privateers trailed by double-digits against Central Arkansas Wednesday, however a rousing comeback fell short as the Sugar Bears walked away with a 62-60 win at Lakefront Arena.
 
New Orleans will rely on the consistent play of senior center Shania Woods, the conference's 12^th leading scorer and 2^nd leading rebounder at 13.5 and 8.6 respectively.  The Houston, Texas product has recorded 6 double-doubles this season.
 
Sophomore center Kayla Thomas made her second start of the season for New Orleans and once again she made the best of the opportunity.  Thomas, a 6-5 center, netted a career-high 20 points against Central Arkansas on 8-of-12 shooting including 2-of-2 from beyond the 3-point arch---the first 3-pointers of her UNO career.
 
The Philadelphia, Pennsylvania product had 13 points and 8 boards in her first start of the season versus Texas A&M-Corpus Christi on Jan.19.
 
Head coach Keeshawn Davenport made changes to the starting lineup during the last two games.  Kayla Thomas and Pebbles Pimpton made their first two starts of the season against Texas A&M-Corpus Christi and Central Arkansas.  Alyssa Quixley started for the first time versus Central Arkansas.
 
"In both games I thought we would have an advantage on the inside with both Shania and Kayla," said head coach Keeshawn Davenport.  "Pebbles brings a little more control at the point and Jada (Duncantell) likes coming off the bench.  Alyssa has been scoring with confidence so I thought maybe we could get a quicker start with her being more aggressive to score."
 
Quixley started in place of freshman Traya Bruce, who leads the team in 3-point shooting and averages 7.4 a game.  Junior center Whitley Larry averages 5.5 points a contest and is the second leading shot blocker in the Southland Conference with 29 total for 1.7 per game.
 
The Cardinals of Incarnate Word (1-16, 1-5 SLC) lost their first 11 games before picking up their lone victory of the season over conference foe McNeese State, Jan.2, 68-66.
 
UIW's leading scorer is Imani Robinson, a First Team Preseason All-Southland Conference selection averaging 9.4 points a game.  The Round Rock, Texas product leads the Cardinals in assists (2.4) and steals (1.8).  Starr Omozee is their leading rebounder at 6.2 a game and she averages 8.2 points a contest.
 
Incarnate Word is winless at home this season at 0-7.
 
The New Orleans-Incarnate Word women's game is the front-end of a doubleheader as the UNO men face the UIW men following the ladies game at 3 p. m.
  
Up Next
 
The Privateers will return to action Wednesday, Jan. 30 when they travel to Natchitoches, Louisiana for a 6:30 contest against Northwestern State.
 
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