New Orleans- With a berth in the Southland Conference Tournament within reach, the University of New Orleans (11-14, 7-9 Southland) will travel to Thibodaux, Louisiana to face Nicholls (17-10, 11-4 Southland), Saturday, at Stopher Gymnasium. Tipoff is 1 p. m.
A win by UNO would clinch a spot in the tournament in Katy, Texas for the third straight year. The Privateers are coming off a disappointing loss at Sam Houston State Wednesday, 86-62.
"We can't depend on someone's losses to make the tournament," said head coach
Keeshawn Davenport. "We have to go out and take care of our own business."
The Privateers are led by senior center
Shania Woods who ranks 10
th in the conference in scoring (14.2) and 2
nd in rebounds (8.8). The Houston, Texas native is 6
th in field goal percentage hitting 48% of her shots from the floor. Woods has recorded 12 double-doubles (double figures in points and rebounds) this season.
Jada Duncantell, a sophomore from Natchitoches, Louisiana, is the next highest scorer hitting 8.0 a contest. Freshman guard
Traya Bruce averages 7.2 points and is the club's best long-range shooter with 42 three-point baskets---25 more than the next closest Privateer. 6-5
Kayla Thomas averages 5.9 points a contest.
Dionjhae Thomas started the first 19 games of the season but has come off the bench the last 5 games. The sophomore has reached double-figures in two of the last three contests with 18 points in a win over Southeastern Louisiana on Feb. 10, and 10 in only 13 minutes of action against Sam Houston State Feb. 27.
"What Dionjhae has been doing in the games I can honestly say she's been doing in practice. Very consistent in her communication trying to get everybody going. Even through her mistakes she still plays hard," said Davenport.
Frontcourt player
Whitley Larry continues to play a key role in recent New Orleans success. From Rayne, Louisiana, Larry is one of the league's leaders in blocked shots with 51 for an average of 2.0 an outing. Larry averages 5.5 points, 6.7 rebounds and has hit game winning baskets against Texas A&M-Corpus Christi and Southeastern Louisiana.
Nicholls, the defending conference tournament champion, is led by reigning Southland Conference Player of the Year Cassidy Barrios. She is the league leader in scoring (20.2) and rebounds (10.9). She has also been named conference player of the week 5 times this season.
The last time the Privateers and Colonels met was back on Feb. 9 at Lakefront Arena. Nicholls defeated New Orleans 76-62.
Up next for UNO, the final regular season and home game for the year, Wednesday, Mar. 6, versus Southeastern Louisiana. It will be Senior Night honoring the lone senior of the roster,
Shania Woods. Tipoff is 7 p. m.
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@UNOPrivateers on Twitter,
@UNOPrivateers on Instagram, like
/UNOPrivateers on Facebook and subscribe to the
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