LAKE CHARLES – Nora Francois put together her seventh career double-double, but the Nicholls Colonels (14-17, 8-11 Southland) used runs late in the third quarter and early in the fourth to pull away from the University of New Orleans Privateers (11-19, 8-11 Southland) 73-66 in the first round of the Southland Conference Tournament on Monday afternoon.
A competitive opening round contest was settled late in the third quarter when Nicholls used a 12-4 run to pull free of the Privateers. Two quick baskets by Kyla Hamilton, and a contested three by Daelyn Craig to open the fourth quarter gave Nicholls a nine point lead New Orleans could not overcome. Francois battled valiantly to keep UNO's season alive, scoring 11 points on 5-of-6 shooting in the final quarter including a three pointer, and a layup under the bucket in quick succession drawing the Privateers within four with 6:32 to play.
HOW IT HAPPENED
As they have all season long the Privateers used a scrappy defensive effort right from tip holding Nicholls to 6-of-20 from the field in the first quarter, with just three made baskets on either side of the media time out for the Lady Colonels. Trailing by three late in the quarter Pryor threw a right handed floater off the window, stole the ball on the ensuing possession and made a pair of free throws giving UNO a 15-14 lead at the end of the first quarter.
The defensive intensity kept up on from both sides in the second quarter. The Privateers held Nicholls to just 29% (11-of-35) from the field in the first half, while the Colonels held UNO to 27% from the floor (10-of-29). The teams combined for 21 turnovers in the first half.
Mikayla Etienne had 13 first half points for the Colonels but picked up a technical foul late in the first half with the score tied at 26. Pryor sank both free throws and connected on a three-pointer matching UNO's largest lead of the half with 1:23 to play. A free throw by Britiya Curtis would shave a point off the lead, but the Privateers went to the locker room ahead 31-28.
The early portion of the third quarter continued as a back-and-forth affair with neither team leading by more than two possessions. After a pair of
Jayla Kimbrough three throws tied the game at 39 with six minutes left in the quarter, the Colonels offense came alive. Kayla Hamilton knocked down a straight away three sparking a 12-4 run for Nicholls giving them a 51-43 advantage with just over two minutes to play in the quarter. New Orleans would trail by six, 53-48 headed into the fourth.
INSIDE THE BOX
- Francois finished with her seventh career double-double – 22 points and 10 rebounds. She made 5-of-6 buckets in the fourth quarter (11 of her 22 points), with four of her rebounds coming in the final frame as well.
- Pryor fell just short of her second career double-double finishing with 19 points and nine rebounds. She was a perfect 8-of-8 at the foul line.
- After shooting 30% in the first quarter, and 33.3% in the second quarter, the Colonels offense came alive in the second half. Nicholls shot 53% in the third quarter (outscoring the Privateers 25-17) and 50% in the fourth on their way to victory.
- New Orleans turned the ball over 20 times with Nicholls taking a 19-10 advantage in points off of turnovers.
- New Orleans was excellent at the free throw line, making 21 of 24 attempts. Pryor (8-of-8) and Kimbrough (5-of-5) were perfect at the line.
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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