POSTGAME INTERVIEWS: COACH TRELANNE POWELL | BRIANNA ELLIS
NEW ORLEANS – The New Orleans Privateers wiped out a 12-point first half deficit and had two players eclipse 20 points in an 88-78 victory over the Texas A&M-Commerce Lions on Thursday evening at the Lakefront Arena.
The win was the first conference opening triumph since New Year's Eve 2016. The win also marked the 100
th NCAA victory for Head Coach Trelanne Powell.
Brianna Ellis had a career-best and her first game of 20-plus points. Ellis finished with 24 points, nine rebounds, six assists and three steals.
Alexis Calderon also finished with a career-best 22 points along with five rebounds and three steals.
New Orleans didn't take long to erase a halftime deficit. Down 50-40 with 7:30 left in the third quarter, the Privateers countered with a 10-0 run to tie the game at the third quarter media timeout. The quarter ended with a
Justice Ross three-pointer in the final seconds that sent the Privateers to the last 10 minutes with a 59-58 advantage.
The Privateers were camped out at the free throw line for most of the fourth quarter and they were excellent in converting their attempts. New Orleans was 16-of-18 from the charity stripe in the fourth quarter alone. They also shot 50 percent (6-of-12) from the field.
It was a tight game throughout the fourth until Calderon scored five quick points that stretched the New Orleans lead into double figures with 1:39 remaining. The Lions could draw no closer than the final margin of 10 points in the last 99 seconds.
It started out as a shootout with both teams scoring at will in the opening stanza. Both teams combined for 44 points, 16 made field goals (five three-pointers) and seven free throws. At the end of the first quarter, the game was level at 22-22.
A quick 5-0 spurt opened the second quarter for the Privateers but it was the Lions who had the first big run of the contest. After trailing 27-22 within the first two minutes of the second, A&M-Commerce rattled off the next 12 points to take a seven-point lead.
The road side led by as many as 12 points in the first half and went to the locker room with a 45-36 lead. A&M-Commerce had 14 assists on their 16 made field goals through 20 minutes of play.
INSIDE THE BOX
Jayla Kimbrough (12) and
Zoe Cooper (10) also finished with double figures in points.
Nora Francois had nine points and eight rebounds in 26 minutes. The Privateers, who were without
DeArica Pryor for the night, posted a season-high point total. Defensively, New Orleans forced 21 turnovers and they held the Lions to 5-of-16 from three-point range in the second half after A&M-Commerce went 7-of-12 in the first half.
Four Lions reached double figures, led by Mia Deck's 23 points. She also chipped in 10 rebounds. Mary Delgado also had a double-double with 13 points and 10 assists. Ahmya Boyce had 17 points and Jordyn Newsome finished with 12.
NEXT UP
The Privateers will host Southeastern on Saturday 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.
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