NEW ORLEANS – The New Orleans Privateers women's basketball team put together a huge performance in the second half and stymied the McNeese Cowgirls in a 65-59 victory on Saturday at the Lakefront Arena.
In the Privateers' annual Play4Kay game, a special moment occurred after the game when the game ball was presented to
DeArica Pryor's mother, Marla Turner who is a cancer survivor.
After the Cowgirls scored 38 points, the Privateers limited them to just 21 in the second half. The Cowgirls were limited to just three field goals in the second half on 26 attempts and their percentage for the game went down 22 points from the half.
Meanwhile, the Privateers once again controlled the glass. They pulled down another 50 rebounds and outpaced the Cowgirls on the boards 50-37.
The third quarter saw New Orleans chip away almost immediately at the Cowgirls' halftime lead. An 8-1 run at the beginning of the half put New Orleans in the lead 40-39. The lead continued to change hands until New Orleans went on a 9-3 spurt to go ahead 61-55 with just over three minutes remaining.
The Privateers were clinging to a two-point lead when Pryor stepped to the line and hit two key free throws with 11.1 seconds remaining. New Orleans was able to close out the game from there for the victory.
McNeese (9-15, 6-7) had a highly efficient first half as they connected on 58.6 percent of their attempts from the field. Divine Tanks had 16 points in the first half but New Orleans kept themselves within striking distance in the early stages.
New Orleans (6-16, 5-8) used the free throw line to close the gap. They had 12 attempts and eight makes from the charity stripe while McNeese did not visit the free throw line in the first half. New Orleans went to the half trailing 38-32.
INSIDE THE BOX
Nora Francois earned her first double-double as a Privateer with 14 points and 10 rebounds. Pryor led the team in scoring with 17 points and added three steals to her Southland leading total.
Nahja Scott added eight points and four rebounds.
Justice Ross finished with eight rebounds and the Privateers got 32 points from the bench.
Tanks only had one field goal attempt in the second half. Hansen finished with 15 points for the Cowgirls.
NEXT UP
The Privateers will travel to take on Texas A&M-Commerce on Thursday, Feb. 16. Tip is scheduled for 5:30 p.m.
SOCIAL MEDIA
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