NEW ORLEANS – A program record crowd saw the New Orleans Privateers carry a lead into the fourth quarter, but the South Alabama Jaguars hit an early spurt in the final stanza to snag a 67-57 decision on Tuesday at the Lakefront Arena.
A bevy of students helped smash the old attendance record in women's basketball program history which stood at 921. The announced attendance was a little more than double at 1,865.
All eyes saw the Privateers claw their way in front 42-41 after three quarters. The third quarter was a pivotal one for the Privateers as they outscored the visitors 21-13 behind a six-point advantage at the free throw line.
Arial Ford hit a layup in the final seconds of the quarter to bring New Orleans to a narrow advantage starting the fourth.
However, South Alabama hit an 11-0 run in the first 2:27 of the quarter. Three-pointers by Daniela Gonzalez and Michiyah Simmons set the tone. Gonzalez hit another triple with 7:33 remaining to cap the run and give the Jaguars a 10-point lead.
From there, the Privateers tried to rally but could not get closer than within seven points on three different occasions.
South Alabama began each of the first two quarters with scoring spurts. A 10-2 run started the game for the Jaguars but the Privateers erased nearly all of that deficit. They trailed 14-11 heading into the second where South Alabama spurted again.
A run of eight straight points in the first 2:44 of the second quarter put the Privateers behind by double digits again at 22-11. The Privateer defense held the Jaguars to just six points for the remainder of the quarter and went into the locker room trailing 28-21.
The Privateers got to the line frequently in the third, which helped them chip away at the halftime deficit. They grabbed their first lead of the contest with 1:39 remaining in the third on an
Alexis Calderon layup.
Simmons led the Jaguars with 18 points off the bench in 24 minutes. Gonzalez had a double-double with 12 points and 10 rebounds.
INSIDE THE BOX
Jayla Kimbrough netted her first career double-double with 13 points and 10 rebounds.
Mackenzie Joseph led the team in rebounds with 11. Calderon finished with 13 points, four assists and two steals.
Nora Francois added 10 points and seven rebounds.
NEXT UP
The Privateers travel to Texas Tech to face the Red Raiders on Saturday at 2 p.m.
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