COMMERCE, Texas –
Lauren Banks tied a program record, but the New Orleans Privateers could not overcome a hot East Texas A&M start in a 90-73 loss on Thursday night at The Fieldhouse.
Banks went 13-of-13 from the free throw line for the night. That tied the mark for most made free throws without a miss in a game in program history. The other two occurrences were Sandra Hodge (1983 vs. Southeastern) and Sandy Lucht (1984 vs. LSU).
Her 13 made free throws are tied for the fifth most in a game in program history.
A high-scoring first quarter saw the Lions begin with a 19-7 lead. That's when
Aaliyah Ellis hit a three that sent the Privateers on a 10-3 spurt, which cut the Lions deficit down to five inside the final minute of the opening quarter but East Texas A&M closed with a quick four points to snag a 26-17 advantage after the first 10 minutes.
The Lions continued their hot shooting start into the second quarter as they connected on 51 percent of their field goal attempts.
Brialle Washington poured in the points for the Privateers with 19 in the first half, but New Orleans still found themselves at a 50-35 deficit when both teams went to the locker room.
East Texas A&M came out of the gate strong in the second half as well, as they steadily built their lead to 27 points with less than four minutes remaining in the fourth quarter. The win keeps the Lions in the final spot in the conference tournament with about a month to go in the season.
Reza Po led the Lions with 33 points. Cora Horvath added 11 points and seven assists. Tiani Ellison finished with nine points and nine rebounds.
INSIDE THE BOX
Washington finished with 19 points and now has double digits in six of her last eight games. Banks wound up with 22 points, a new season-high and added seven rebounds.
Shanihya Brown and
Hailee Brennen each added six points.
NEXT UP
The Privateers will host Northwestern State on Saturday at 2 p.m.
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