NEW ORLEANS – The New Orleans Privateers put up a strong defensive effort for four quarters but were not able to break through on offense late in a 44-41 loss to the Louisiana Ragin' Cajuns on Saturday at the Lakefront Arena.
Destiny Rice hit a layup with 5:56 remaining in the game to put the Cajuns up five. They did not score a point for the remainder of regulation. After
Jayla Kimbrough hit a layup to pull the Privateers within a possession, the Cajuns missed opportunities to put the game away. In the final minute, Louisiana went 0-for-4 from the free throw line.
However, the big shot couldn't fall for New Orleans in the final possessions as there were three missed three-pointers that would have tied the game inside the final two minutes.
The Privateers came out with fierce defense as they held the Ragin' Cajuns to no points in the first seven minutes of the contest. In that span, New Orleans scored eight points to build an early 8-0 lead. Louisiana settled in and went on an 8-1 run of their own to close a defensive first quarter.
The free throw line was the equalizer for the Cajuns in the second quarter. They scored eight of their first ten points in the quarter from the charity stripe as the Privateers' defense continued to be unrelenting, allowing just one field goal in the first 8:28 of the quarter.
Though New Orleans led for most of the first half, the Cajuns took a 25-24 edge to the locker room as Nubia Benedith scored on a layup in the final seconds.
The third quarter passed with the Cajuns having the lead for the entirety of the stanza. They built a lead as big as six but New Orleans closed the gap to one by the end of the third.
INSIDE THE BOX
Alexis Calderon led the offense with nine points. Kimbrough and
DeArica Pryor combined for 15 points off the bench.
Nora Francois had eight rebounds.
Zoe Cooper and
Brianna Ellis added seven rebounds each. As a team, the Privateers out-rebounded the Cajuns 47-32.
Tamera Johnson finished with a double-double as she had 12 points and 11 boards. Benedith also reached double-figures with 11 points.
NEXT UP
The Privateers will make the short trip uptown to face Tulane on Wednesday, Dec. 6. Tip is scheduled for 6 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.
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