NEW ORLEANS –
Nora Francois returned after missing the last five games and scored 21 points but the New Orleans Privateers could not overcome a big early run from the Stephen F. Austin Ladyjacks in an 83-65 loss on Thursday night at Lakefront Arena.
Francois returned and the team's leading scorer picked up right where she left off, surpassing her season average (13.7 points) in the first half with 15 that included a layup off a steal to beat the halftime buzzer.
However, it was Stephen F. Austin who had all the early momentum as they built an 18-2 lead in the first six minutes of the contest. The Ladyjacks came out and hit 7-of-11 shots to start the game.
The Privateers started to settle in from there and outscored Stephen F. Austin 13-7 for the remainder of the first quarter. They managed to trim the deficit down to 10 at the halftime break and got the deficit within single digits on a couple of separate occasions in the third quarter.
New Orleans was down 51-43 after
Jayla Kimbrough made a jumper with just under four minutes left in the third quarter. The next four Stephen F. Austin possessions consisted of three triples and a layup and the Ladyjacks were able to re-extend their lead to 62-45 near the end of the third quarter.
The Privateers held the highest scoring offense to just 25 percent from the field in the fourth quarter but they could not make a dent in the Ladyjacks' lead by that point. Stephen F. Austin compensated by connecting on 7-of-8 free throw attempts in the final stanza.
Ashlyn Traylor-Walker led the way for Stephen F. Austin with 18 points, eight rebounds, four assists and four steals. Faith Blackstone and Harmanie Dominguez had 15 points each.
INSIDE THE BOX
Francois just missed a double-double as she had 21 points and nine rebounds. Francois also added a pair of blocks.
Gabbi Cartagena had 13 points, seven rebounds, five steals and four assists. Kimbrough finished with seven points while
Alexis Calderon added four rebounds and four assists.
NEXT UP
The Privateers will head to Hammond to face Southeastern on Saturday at 1 p.m.
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