POSTGAME INTERVIEWS: ALEXIS CALDERON | TRELANNE POWELL
NEW ORLEANS –
Alexis Calderon sparked the offense early and the New Orleans Privateers earned their first win of the season with a 53-42 triumph over the Alcorn State Lady Braves on Tuesday evening at the Lakefront Arena.
The win was also the first for New Orleans Head Coach Trelanne Powell. It also marked the ninth consecutive season the Privateers won their regular season home opener.
Calderon got the Privateers going on their first offensive possession as she took a pass from
Justice Ross and drained a triple to give the Privateers the lead. She also was a big part of the Privateers' relentless press defense that forced 24 turnovers on the night. The Privateers, who were playing without
DeArica Pryor, stepped up as a unit to hold Alcorn State to just 27 percent from the field on the night.
Alcorn State spent the rest of the first quarter slowly climbing back from an early deficit and they took their first lead when Destiny Brown hit a layup inside the final 35 seconds of the opening stanza to put the Lady Braves ahead 12-11.
That was the last time the road team led as the Privateers answered back with a layup from
Jayla Kimbrough to finish the first quarter. The second was all New Orleans as they held the Lady Braves to just five points on 2-of-12 from the field.
Meanwhile, New Orleans kicked clear with a 10-0 run to start the second. The capper of that run was a Kimbrough three-pointer. New Orleans went to the half up 28-17 and Alcorn State never got within single digits for the rest of the game.
The Privateers led by as many as 19 points when
Nora Francois, who made her season debut, hit a three-pointer to make the score 50-31 with 4:55 remaining. The Privateers coasted from there to the win.
INSIDE THE BOX
Calderon led the team in points (14), assists (4) and steals (4). She also co-led the squad in rebounds (6).
Justice Ross reached double-figures with 11 points and added two blocks.
Patricia Sherrill co-led the squad in boards with six. Four of those were offensive boards.
Brianna Ellis added five rebounds and three steals. Kimbrough finished with five points and four boards.
Alcorn State was led by Nakia Cheatham who just missed a double-double with 11 points and nine rebounds. Akyriale Ford added 10 points. Destiny Brown finished with six points and six rebounds.
NEXT UP
After the Thanksgiving holiday, the Privateers will travel to Houston where they will face the Cougars this Sunday at 2 p.m.
WE ARE YOUR KREWE
For 54 seasons, Privateer student-athletes have had the unique experience of wearing New Orleans across their chests. Like the city itself, our sports teams have been fueled by resiliency, grit, and the unquenchable desire to win. Our city also houses the nation's biggest celebration each year. And much like a Mardi Gras parade krewe, we are tethered to our community through pride, tradition, a culture of acceptance, and finally our commitment to show that New Orleans is a world-class city to live, learn, play and work. We invite you to become more involved with the only University that truly represents New Orleans all day, every day. Join #NOLAsTeam, We Are Your Krewe!
Visit UNOPrivateers.com/signup to stay connected and follow us @UNOPrivateers on Twitter, Instagram, and Facebook.
SOCIAL MEDIA
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