Brown scores 30 as New Orleans women win, 84-75

With a game-high 30 points from freshman Randi Brown, the New Orleans women’s basketball team took its third consecutive victory Thursday night, toppling Southeastern at the Lakefront Arena, 84-75.
The career-high from the guard bolstered New Orleans to 7-19 this year and 5-12 in the Southland Conference standings while dropping Southeastern to 7-21 overall and 3-14 in league play.
It was a tight affair through the first seven minutes of action until New Orleans went on a 14-0 run through the eight minute mark. Yasmin Taylor topped off the spurt with a free-throw, setting the Privateers up 26-15.
Southeastern managed to get back within three points with 3:19 to go with their sixth three-pointer of the half, but New Orleans held strong, finishing the first 20 minutes with a layup from Taylor, sending the game into the break with the Privateers up, 39-36.
Following intermission, it was the Lions that came out strong, taking a one-point lead at 41-40 through the first two minutes.
But New Orleans responded with a 9-0 run with a layup by Brown, a former Central Catholic High School standout, setting the Privateers back on top, 52-44, with 15 minutes to play.
A pair of free throws by Taylor with 13:09 remaining then gave New Orleans its first double-figure lead of the night at 56-46.
Back-to-back three-point plays brought the Privateers up by 16 at 64-48 midway through the second half.
Clutch free-throw shooting, coupled with shut-down defense, then gave New Orleans all it needed as the Privateers took their third straight win, 84-75.
Brown was good on 12 of her 16 field goal attempts with five free throws to her name. She also had five rebounds, three assists and four steals.
Alexis Martin also finished in double-figures with 13 points while four Privateers finished with nine.
New Orleans is set to make its regular season final Saturday at 1 p.m. as the squad hits the road to take on Northwestern State prior to tipping off in the Southland Conference Tournament next week in Katy, Texas.
To keep up with the latest New Orleans women’ basketball news, follow the team on Twitter @UNOPrivateers and @Privateers_WBB or by liking New Orleans Privateers on Facebook.