NATCHITOCHES, La. –
Lauren Banks closed the season with three consecutive 20-point games but the New Orleans Privateers women's basketball team lost their regular season finale 81-65 to the Northwestern State Lady Demons on Tuesday at Prather Coliseum.
Banks went 7-of-15 from the field and fell just shy of a double-double with nine rebounds in 36 minutes logged. She scored 20 points in each of the last two games before tonight's season-high performance.
It was a close battle throughout the opening stages. The Privateers grabbed their first lead of the game when
Hailee Brennen connected on a turnaround jumper in the first New Orleans possession. Neither team led by more than six points and the Lady Demons held a 19-15 edge after the first quarter.
A 5-0 spurt late in the second quarter by Northwestern State pushed their lead to double figures, but a fast break layup by
Mariah Hart ensured the deficit was back to single digits at halftime. Northwestern State held a 38-30 lead.
Northwestern State used the third quarter to steadily pull away. They scored eight of the last 11 points in the quarter and pushed their lead to 12 with 10 minutes remaining. The Lady Demons gained some distance on their lead despite shooting 33 percent from the field in the quarter. Both teams shot under 40 percent for the game.
Vernell Atamah, who came in leading the Southland in scoring, put up 31 points for Northwestern State. She also added 14 rebounds. Nya Valentine finished with 20 points and nine assists.
INSIDE THE BOX
Jayla Owen finished with 10 points on 4-of-8 from the field.
Sephora Kayolo and
Mariah Hart had seven points each.
Shanihya Brown finished with five assists and
Hailee Brennen added seven rebounds along with two blocks.
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