Privateers battle but fall short in road contest at A&M-Corpus Christi

CORPUS CHRISTI, Texas – Both sides traded shots in the first half but the New Orleans Privateers (2-12, 1-4) were ultimately defeated 58-45 by the Texas A&M-Corpus Christi Islanders (9-7, 4-1) on Saturday at the American Bank Center.

After an even first half, the Islanders separated in the third quarter, using the foul line to their advantage.

The third quarter saw both teams go cold from the floor but the Islanders had more free throw trips. Texas A&M-Corpus Christi went 8-for-10 from the charity stripe while the Privateers had just two visits and one make.

Texas A&M-Corpus Christi led 45-34 as the game turned to the fourth. The Islanders made 5-of-9 field goal attempts in the fourth quarter as their lead never got below 10 points in the final stanza.

The Privateers and Islanders kept trading shots as the lead exchanged hands nine times throughout the first half. Neither side led by more than five points which occurred when New Orleans opened the game with the first five points of the contest.

New Orleans forced 12 Islander turnovers in the first half and scored on their last possession of each quarter. Brianna Ellis drove for a tough basket and got the foul call at the end of the first. Nora Francois scored a second chance bucket on a layup with 15 seconds remaining in the second. All told, the score was level at 30-30 heading into the locker room.

The Privateers had 18 offensive rebounds for the game but were only able to turn them into nine second chance points. New Orleans also forced 20 turnovers and wound up with 17 points off turnovers in the game.

INSIDE THE BOX
Tara Green finished in double figures to lead the Privateers with 11 points. Hennessey Luu-Brown, Justice Ross and DeArica Pryor all had eight points. Nora Francois had eight rebounds (six offensive) and Ross added a team-best three steals.

Alecia Westbrook led the home side with 21 points, 11 rebounds, five assists and three steals. Jaeda Whitner added 11 points and six rebounds for the Islanders.

NEXT UP
The Privateers will return home on Thursday, Jan. 19 to face the Texas A&M-Commerce Lions.

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