Privateers fall short against Southland leading Islanders

NEW ORLEANS – The New Orleans Privateers were within earshot at halftime but were outpaced in the second half of a 68-49 loss against the Texas A&M-Corpus Christi Islanders on Thursday at the Lakefront Arena.

As it was in the first meeting, the Islanders kicked clear in the third quarter after an even first half. Texas A&M-Corpus Christi scored 21 points and shot 63.6 percent from the field and outscored the Privateers 7-1 from the free throw line to take a 51-41 lead into the fourth quarter.

In two meetings this season, the Islanders (14-7, 9-1) have outscored the Privateers 36-18 in the third quarter.

New Orleans (4-15, 3-7) could not make a dent in the advantage as they were held to just eight points in the last quarter.

A high-scoring first quarter saw the Texas A&M-Corpus Christi Islanders separate to a seven-point lead by the end of it. The Islanders used an 8-1 run to extend to an 18-11 lead with 3:29 left in the opening stanza. Both teams scored four points each in the remainder of the quarter.

New Orleans steadied things in the second quarter and got a couple of Islanders in foul trouble as Makinna Serrata and Bruna Anguera both picked up their second foul in the quarter. The Privateers also used the free throw line to chip away at the deficit. The Privateers trailed 30-27 heading to the halftime locker room.

INSIDE THE BOX
DeArica Pryor led the Privateers in points with 11. She also added six steals and five assists. Hennessey Luu-Brown and Tara Green each added eight. Nahja Scott and Zoe Cooper each hauled in six rebounds. The Privateers forced 25 Islander turnovers.

Alecia Westbrook posted 19 points and 14 rebounds. Makinna Serrata added a team-high 21 points and Mireia Aguado scored 12 off the bench.

NEXT UP
The Privateers host UIW on Saturday at the Lakefront Arena. Tip is scheduled for 2 p.m.

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