Privateers get first women’s hoops win in Thibodaux since 2008

THIBODAUX – The University of New Orleans (4-17, 3-11 Southland) dominated the fourth quarter on their way to a 72-67 victory over the Nicholls Colonels (4-21, 2-12 Southland) on Saturday afternoon in Thibodaux, La.

With the victory, the UNO women have locked up the No. 7 seed in next week’s Southland Conference Tournament and will face Northwestern State at 1:30 p.m. on Thursday.

HOW IT HAPPENED
The game got off to an incredible start with both teams almost unable to miss. The Privateers hit 10 of their first 15 shots on their way to 24 first-quarter points. Nicholls was just as hot knocking down 8-of-13. Both teams combined to shoot almost 65% in the first quarter.

With the score tied at 47 late in the third quarter, the Colonels went on a 7-0 run after baskets by Bryanna Washington and Amelia Sandie. The Colonel defense held UNO scoreless for over two and a half minutes to take a seven-point lead, 54-47, into the early stages of the fourth quarter.

New Orleans turned the tables quickly with a 12-0 run of their own, and DeArica Pryor started it all with defense, swiping the ball from Lauryn Bowie – two passes later Kyla Davis buried a three and the comeback was on. It was Mathis on the offensive end next, knocking down a jump shot to give UNO a 59-57 lead with 4:05 to play – their first lead since 28-27 halfway through the second quarter.

Fittingly it was Mathis who punctuated the UNO run with a pair of free throws extending the Privateer lead to 61-57.

A Kyla Davis steal and fast-break layup by Tomyree Thompson extended the Privateer lead to seven points, before big baskets down the stretch by Pryor sealed the victory for UNO, 72-67.

INSIDE THE BOX
– Mathis finished with 18 points on 6-of-12 shooting and eight assists. She scored 11 points in the first quarter alone.
– Pryor finished with 14 points on 5-of-8 shooting with a pair of threes.
– Thompson finished with a career-high 14 points and a career-high six made field goals.
– The Privateers bench outscored the Colonel bench 25-8.- The victory was the Privateer women’s first win at Nicholls since 2001 – they had lost their last eight at Stopher Gymnasium coming into today.

NEXT UP
The Privateer women have earned the No. 7 seed in next week’s Southland Conference Tournament. They will face No. 6 seed Northwestern State at 1:30 p.m. on Thursday. The two teams split a pair of meetings this season with each squad winning on the road.

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