NEW ORLEANS – The New Orleans women's basketball program put forth one of its best overall efforts in program history as the Privateers won their home opener, 91-31 in front of a record-breaking 921 fans on Education Day at the Lakefront Arena on Tuesday morning.
All 13 student-athletes got action today as New Orleans tied the third-lowest point total allowed in program history along with the victory slotting in a tie for seventh overall for largest winning margin in school history.
Rehema Franklin and
Mia Deck led the Privateer attack with 16 points apiece. Franklin chipped in two rebounds and a career-high seven steals while Deck added six rebounds and two steals.
Kayla Thomas was a force inside, especially during the early part of the game, as she finished with 12 points on 6-of-7 shooting to go with a season-high eight boards.
Kyla Malone was the fourth Privateer to hit double digits as she posted 11 points and two assists.
As a unit New Orleans finished the game shooting 52.9 percent from the field and 35.7 percent from beyond the arc. With the scoring output, the Privateers held Pensacola Christian to a 19.3 field goal percentage and just 16.1 percent from three-point range. New Orleans also forced 33 turnovers.
"I challenged our team to do what it is that we do," head coach
Keeshawn Davenport said following the win. "I felt in the second quarter we got a little offensive minded, I don't know why, and went away from our defense creating our offense. So when we came back out there from the locker room after the half, we put things back in the right perspective."
"I don't know if I have coached a game where a team scored one point in a quarter," Davenport added with a smile. "Our points came off of the defense we played. We forced all those turnovers. I want us to always remember how that feels. It doesn't matter if we're playing Pensacola Christian or Ole Miss, who we have next. If you play defense you can allow your defense to create your offense. It was a great afternoon and a great atmosphere."
The Privateers got off to a fast start and climbed out to a 20-6 lead after the first quarter. The second was a much more even affair as New Orleans held a slight 13-10 edge to go into halftime up 33-16. The Privateers closed things out with their performance in the third as the group scored 34 points while holding Pensacola Christian to just one. It was the lowest point total allowed by the Privateers through the first three quarters of a game in program history, dating back to the 2016-17 season in which the women's game moved from halves to quarters.
New Orleans finished the final frame with a 24-14 scoring advantage to close out the 60-point victory.
The attendance mark of 921 bettered the old record of 852 that was set in a matchup against Louisiana Tech back on March 5, 1988.
To go with Education Day, which featured students from local elementary and middle schools attending the game for free, the contest also included a halftime unveiling of the 2020 NCAA Women's Basketball Final Four logo that will be hosted here in New Orleans in early April.
The halftime ceremony included an address from women's basketball great Swin Cash, among others.
"I know I had to coach, I wish I could have seen the halftime ceremony," Davenport concluded. "It's special to be a part of that. I'm so glad that the University of New Orleans will help host for the Final Four event this year in April. It's a great city to have some great basketball. I just want to thank everyone who worked so hard to make this day what is was today."
There isn't any time off for the New Orleans squad as the group hits the road for its final SEC showdown of the season at Ole Miss on Friday, Nov. 15. Tipoff is set for 3 PM CST and the game can be streamed live on SEC Network +.
