Nicholls edges UNO in thriller, 69-68

NEW ORLEANS – Zoe Cooper found the ball in her hands off a rebound in the waning seconds but her putback bucket was waved off as New Orleans lost a 69-68 heartbreaker to the Nicholls Colonels on Saturday at the Lakefront Arena.

With 6.8 seconds left, DeArica Pryor drove to the basket but her shot did not fall. The Privateers battled for the board and it came to Cooper with a chance to win but her shot did not beat the buzzer.

HOW IT HAPPENED
New Orleans chased most of the game early but came out of the halftime locker room with renewed energy. The Privateers outscored Nicholls 20-10 in the third quarter to carry a three-point lead into the fourth.

The home side led by as many as six points but Nicholls clawed back to regain the advantage with 59 seconds left.

A Nahja Scott layup with 12.8 seconds left put the Privateers back ahead 68-67 but Nicholls had a response when Bryanna Washington scored a second chance bucket to give the Colonels the lead and the eventual win.

The Privateers drained six triples in the first half but an early Nicholls run vaulted them to a 12-5 lead. New Orleans was chasing the game for much of the opening 20 minutes as the Colonels led for 16:48 in the first half.

The Colonels led by as many as 12 points but the Privateers used the free throw line late in the second quarter to chip the deficit down to 39-32.

STATISTICAL LEADERS
Pryor had another strong offensive output, tying her career high with 22 points. She also added six assists and five rebounds. Kyla Davis finished with 13 points. Scott scored nine points and had two steals. Zoe Cooper led the team in rebounds with 11.

NEXT UP
The Privateers will take on Southeastern on Thursday, Jan. 20. Tip is scheduled for 5 p.m.

SOCIAL MEDIA
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