Strong Defensive Showing Leads Women’s Basketball to Fourth Straight Victory

CONWAY, Ark. - The trend of a new hero every night continued for the New Orleans women's basketball team as the Privateers got big performances from Kayla Thomas and Vaquela Pimpton off the bench to go with one of the best defensive showings in recent memory as they cruised to a 49-37 victory against Southland foe Central Arkansas at the Farris Center on Wednesday night.

THE BASICS
FINAL SCORE: New Orleans - 49, Central Arkansas - 37
LOCATION: Farris Center – Conway, Ark.
RECORDS: New Orleans (7-7/3-2), Central Arkansas (7-7/3-2)

HOW IT HAPPENED
- Thomas led the second half charge as she was unguardable the entire game. The senior center posted a game-high 11 points on 4-of-5 shooting to go with two rebounds, two blocks and a steal in 15 minutes of play.
- Pimpton was another deciding factor in the victory as she scored all 10 of her points in the second half. The senior guard also chipped in four rebounds, two assists and a steal.
- Forwards Asia Woods and Whitley Larry finished with eight points apiece to round out the scoring attack. Woods added a rebound and a steal while Larry was just shy of a double-double with 11 rebounds (four on the offensive glass), three steals and two blocks.
- Seven Privateers scored in total as Rehema Franklin (5 points), Mia Deck (4) and Traya Bruce (3) all added to the winning effort.
- Central Arkansas jumped out to an early 18-8 lead after the first quarter of play as the Privateers struggled to get anything going on offense. A tip-in at the buzzer by Thomas kept the game within 10 after one.
- New Orleans got right back in it in the second quarter as they held Central Arkansas to just three points while the Privateers scored seven of their own to make it a 21-15 game at the half.
- The Privateers came out on a mission in the second half as they had everything working on both ends of the court. New Orleans outscored the Sugar Bears by a 20-13 margin to take a 35-34 edge into the final frame.
- New Orleans closed the game out as it allowed just three points in a quarter for the second time in the game as the Privateers cruised to a 49-37 victory.

FOR THE FOES
- Alana Canady led the way with a team-high 10 points to go with seven rebounds.
- Taylor Sells chipped in nine points, four assists and two steals.
- Hannah Langhi recorded a team-high nine boards and six points.

NOTEWORTHY
- Larry continued her ascend up the career blocks list as with her first rejection of the game at 1:09 in the second quarter, she moved into sole possession of eighth all-time in program history. Her two rejections overall on the night gives her 108 in 111 games played.
- The win was the first for the Privateer program in Conway along with being just the second victory overall against Central Arkansas in program history.

COACHES CORNER with KEESHAWN DAVENPORT

New Orleans women's basketball coach @UNO_CoachCarter breaks down her team's big win over Central Arkansas, the Privateers fourth consecutive victory overall and third straight against Southland conference foes. #NOLAsTeam?? pic.twitter.com/Pb53JXvI6i

— New Orleans Women's Basketball (@PrivateersWBB) January 9, 2020

NEXT UP
The Privateers remain on the road as the squad heads to San Antonio for another Southland conference contest at UIW on Saturday, Jan. 11. Tip off for matchup is set for 2 PM CST.