NEW ORLEANS – The New Orleans Privateers took a lead to the fourth quarter but could not hold off the McNeese Cowgirls as they fell 71-66 on Saturday at the Lakefront Arena.
The Privateers led by five heading to the final quarter and were ahead in the last two minutes until a tip-in bucket by Wilnie Joseph gave the Cowgirls a 67-66 edge. From there, the Privateers had three missed field goals, two missed free throws and a turnover as McNeese closed out the game with the last six points.
McNeese led by as many as 11 at one point when they took a 41-30 advantage, but the Privateers came right back with an 8-0 run to close the first half. In the last 85 seconds, the Privateers turned defense into offense as
Nora Francois had a block that eventually turned into a
Gabbi Cartagena three-pointer to end the first half.
The Privateers turned that momentum into winning the third quarter by a 19-11 margin. The Privateers held McNeese to 4-of-18 from the field in that quarter. Meanwhile, the Privateers were frequent visitors to the charity stripe as they went 7-of-10 from the line in the third.
Kiyara Ellis led the Cowgirls with 18 points on the day.
Kyla Davis scored 13 points against her former team. McNeese had 32 free throw attempts on the game and held a 47-45 edge on the boards.
INSIDE THE BOX
Francois had a double-double with 21 points and 11 rebounds. She had 16 in the first half.
Shanihya Brown went for double figures in her second consecutive game with 10 points.
Jasmine Jones and
Brialle Washington finished with eight points each.
NEXT UP
The Privateers will host East Texas A&M on Thursday, Feb. 20 at 6:30 p.m.
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