NEW ORLEANS – The New Orleans Privateers women's basketball team makes the longest trip in the Southland Conference this week when they take on Texas A&M-Corpus Christi (Thursday) and UTRGV (Saturday). The game times are 6:30 and 2:00 p.m. respectively.
The Privateers were on the short end of a two-point decision against Northwestern State 76-74.
Nora Francois led the Privateers with 20 points on the day and four Privateers scored in double figures against the Lady Demons.
Francois won her second Southland Player of the Week award after two games that included the first triple-double by a Privateer in 22 years when Francois had 19 points, 19 rebounds and 10 assists against East Texas A&M.
The Privateers simply need a win on Thursday to keep their hopes alive of making the conference tournament. With one spot up for grabs, New Orleans is two games back of the Islanders with three games remaining.
Syria Butler, who got the start on Senior Day, scored 10 points on 4-of-6 from the field while logging the most minutes (36) against Northwestern State on 2/22. Butler became the 11th player out of 14 on the active roster to score in double figures this season.
The Privateers lost the first meeting 78-66 against the Islanders at Lakefront Arena on Jan.2. Francois and
Jayla Kimbrough combined for 42 points that day.
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Texas A&M-Corpus Christi is looking to take a step toward securing the final spot in the Southland Tournament. At 5-12, the Islanders are tied for eighth with McNeese heading into the week. The Islanders have the third best scoring defense in the Southland as they've allowed 57.3 points per game. Paige Allen leads the league in steals per game at 2.4.
UTRGV is currently in fourth place in the Southland standings at 11-7. The Vaqueros have won five straight heading into the week and have not allowed more than 56 points in a game in that stretch. Charlotte O'Keefe is the conference leader in total rebounds (12.2) and offensive rebounds (4.4).
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