NEW ORLEANS - The New Orleans women's basketball team got back in the win column as they knocked off Central Arkansas, 85-73 in a Southland Conference contest at the Lakefront Arena on Wednesday evening as part of the program's Play 4 Kay celebration.
THE BASICS
FINAL SCORE: New Orleans - 85, Central Arkansas - 73
LOCATION: Lakefront Arena – New Orleans, La.
RECORDS: New Orleans (13-10/9-5), Central Arkansas (11-12/7-7)
HOW IT HAPPENED
- Four Privateers finished in double-figures as New Orleans shot over 60 percent from the field and greater than 58 percent from behind the arc in one of the most well-balanced scoring attacks by the group this season. It was the team's highest season total recorded so far this year in both field goal and three-point percentage. It was also the team's fourth-highest point total recorded during the 2019-20 campaign.
- Freshman guard Mia Deck led the offense with 19 points on a perfect 5-of-5 shooting from the field to go with a 3-of-3 mark from three, including two three-pointers in the fourth quarter, one of which sealed the game with 47 seconds left as she pulled up from beyond NBA range.
- Birthday girl Rehema Franklin chipped in 18 points of her own along with four rebounds and a game-high four steals. The performance is her 14th double-digit game of the season. She has now scored 17 or more points in five of her last six contests.
- Asia Woods recorded 18 points, nine rebounds and a career-high five assists.
- Whitley Larry registered 13 points to go with three rebounds, two assists, two blocks and a steal.
- Mary Delgado added nine points while Dionjhae Thomas had eighth. Delgado also recorded a career-high three assists and two rebounds. Thomas added two rebounds and a steal.
- The Privateers jumped out to a quick 20-16 lead after the first quarter.
- New Orleans was able to add to that advantage as they won the second by a 19-17 margin to take a 39-33 lead into the half.
- It was a close one in the third that still saw the Privateers add a point to their advantage as they headed into the fourth up 59-52.
- New Orleans saved its best for last as the Privateers shot 66.7 percent from the field in the fourth to claim their 85-73 win.
- It was the first home victory over Central Arkansas in program history. The Privateers were 0-4 against the Sugar Bears at the Lakefront Arena coming into tonight's game.
- With the win, New Orleans has already bested last year's conference win total. With their nine Southland victories already this season, the program has recorded its most conference wins since the Privateers went 11-7 during the 2017-18 campaign.
FOR THE FOES
- Briana Trigg led the way with a team-high 19 points to go with two rebounds and an assist.
- Hannah Langhi chipped in 16 points along with five rebounds, one assist and a steal.
- Ayanna Trigg added 14 points and four boards. She also recorded a team-high three steals.
COACHES CORNER WITH KEESHAWN DAVENPORT
NEXT UP
The Privateers host UIW in another Southland Conference contest this Saturday, Feb. 15 at 4 PM CT as part of a doubleheader with the men's basketball program. The two games will also feature the New Orleans Athletics Department's Privateer Mardi Gras celebration.
