NEW ORLEANS – The New Orleans Privateers (9-7, 5-2) used a late third quarter spurt to vault away to a 78-59 win over the McNeese Cowgirls (4-12) on Saturday afternoon at the Lakefront Arena. The win is the sixth consecutive for the Privateers and the fifth straight in conference.
STATISTICAL LEADERS
Rehema Franklin led the way with 22 points while knocking down four triples.
Asia Woods posted a double-double with 18 points and 13 rebounds.
Kayla Thomas also landed in double figures with 10 points in 11 minutes. Five different Privateers registered a blocked shot.
FIRST QUARTER
It was a back-and-forth first quarter that featured the score being tied on six different occasions. Neither team led by more than four in the opening stanza. The Cowgirls pulled down 15 rebounds including six offensive boards in the first 10 minutes.
SECOND QUARTER
The game of mini spurts continued into the second quarter. Both teams traded 7-0 runs during the quarter and there were seven lead changes in that stretch. Delgado had nine first half points to lead the Privateers who were down 34-33 heading into the locker room.
THIRD QUARTER
Traya Bruce opened the scoring with a triple to immediately give the Privateers the lead back in the opening minute of the quarter. The game continued to play out evenly until the last two minutes when a 10-0 punch by New Orleans in the final 2:16 gave them a 53-45 advantage. The Privateers forced eight turnovers in the quarter.
FOURTH QUARTER
The Privateers carried the momentum to their fifth consecutive conference victory. McNeese never got closer than within seven points over the final stanza. The 27 turnovers forced was the second highest mark in a game by the Privateers this season. In the winning streak, New Orleans has forced 20-plus turnovers five times.
NEXT UP
The Privateers will remain at home on Wednesday, Jan. 22 when they face Texas A&M-Corpus Christi. Tip is scheduled for 7 p.m.
