NEW ORLEANS – The New Orleans Privateers held the Texas A&M-Corpus Christi Islanders to a season low in field goal percentage but it was the Islanders who prevailed in the final minutes as they defeated the Privateers 61-54 on Saturday at Lakefront Arena.
Texas A&M-Corpus Christi only shot 29.3 percent and committed 11 more turnovers than New Orleans. However, their defense and free throw shooting were critical on the day. The Islanders limited the Privateers to 23.3 percent from the field. The road team also went 24-of-25 from the free throw line.
The Islanders seized the lead for good with 3:34 remaining when they went up 53-52. From that point, Texas A&M-Corpus Christi was 6-of-6 from the free throw line.
Nahja Scott hit a layup with 1:55 left to cut the Islander lead to 55-54.
However, the Islanders had a response on the next possession when Tymberlin Criswell scored to put the Islander lead back to three.
The Privateers got out to a quick start on both ends of the floor. They built a lead as large as 14 points when they went on a 17-3 run to start the game. Meanwhile, the Islander offense struggled to get into gear as they only went 1-of-12 from the field.
The momentum shifted around the media timeout to the Islanders favor when Nabaweeyah McGill subbed in. She played the last five minutes of the quarter and proceeded to score eight points (all at the free throw line). The last of those free throws gave the Islanders their first lead of the game at 23-22 with 30 seconds left in the half. They added a fast break layup from Mireia Aguado to carry a three-point edge into the locker room.
INSIDE THE BOX
Jayla Kimbrough and
DeArica Pryor co-led the team in points with 13 apiece.
Nora Francois also scored in double figures with 11.
Brianna Ellis added seven rebounds and three assists. Scott finished with six points and six boards.
Aguado scored 15 points to lead the Islanders. McGill finished with 14 and added 12 boards.
NEXT UP
The Privateers will travel to Houston to face HCU next Thursday. 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!
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