JACKSONVILLE, Ala. – The New Orleans women's basketball team found itself on the wrong side of a defensive battle as the Privateers dropped a non-conference contest 72-55 to host Jacksonville State at the Pete Mathews Coliseum on Saturday afternoon.
THE BASICS
FINAL SCORE: New Orleans – 55, JSU - 72
LOCATION: Pete Mathews Coliseum – Jacksonville, Alabama
RECORDS: New Orleans (1-2/0-0 SLC), JSU (2-0/0-0 OVC)
HOW IT HAPPENED
- The two teams played a very even first quarter that led to Jacksonville State holding a three-point advantage after one quarter of play. After the Privateers scored the first basket of the game, the Gamecocks went on an 11-1 run over the first six minutes of the first. New Orleans would answer with an 8-0 run of its own in under two minutes to take its first lead of the game, 13-11, with 2:42 remaining. The Gamecocks hit the last two buckets of the first, which included a three-pointer with 1:40 left, as each team locked down on the defensive end. There wouldn't be a made basket for the rest of the first as Jacksonville State ended the opening frame up 16-13.
- The Privateers would get it as close as 19-17 with 8:16 left in the second before each team hit a scoring slump as there wouldn't be a basket made on either side over the next three minutes of action. Once Jacksonville State regained its footing, the Gamecocks were able to win the quarter 18-8 and take a 34-22 lead into the half.
- It was a much closer third as the two sides traded buckets, but the Gamecocks were able to build on their lead as they won the quarter by a slight five-point margin to take a 55-37 advantage into the fourth.
- New Orleans went on to win the fourth by an 18-17 margin, but it was too little too late as the Privateers fell to the Gamecocks by a final score of 72-55.
GAME NOTES
- Dionjhae Thomas reached double-digits in scoring for the second consecutive game as she finished with a game-high 15 points. She also set a new career high in made free throws as she converted 8-of-10 from the charity stripe.
- Jada Duncantell was back in double figures for the second time this season with 13 points to go with a season-high six rebounds and two assists.
- Mia Deck tied her season-best with 12 points on 4-of-8 shooting which included a mark of 2-of-4 from beyond the arc.
- It is the third straight game that the Privateers bench has recorded double-digits in scoring.
- New Orleans had 14 points in the paint and registered 12 fast-break points.
- The Privateers hit 23-of-31 free throw attempts, good for a made clip of 74.2 percent.
FOR THE FOES
- Imari Martin finished with a team-high 14 points in just 19 minutes of play.
- Kiana and Yamia Johnson each chipped in 13 points and two assists.
- 10 student-athletes finished with at least two points in the contest.
NEXT UP
The Privateers remain on the road for their third consecutive nationally broadcast game as New Orleans heads to SEC power Missouri for a non-conference battle on Wednesday, Dec. 16. Tipoff is set for 7 PM CT at the Mizzou Arena.
The contest will be available for fans to watch nationwide on SEC Network +.
