New Orleans falls to Central Arkansas

The New Orleans Privateers women’s basketball team could not hold a narrow halftime lead in a 53-46 loss to the Central Arkansas Sugar Bears Wednesday at the Lakefront Arena.
Trailing 47-44 with just more than a minute remaining, the Privateers (2-13 overall, 0-6 in conference play) played the foul game early.
Central Arkansas (10-8, 3-3) stepped to the line and hit four clutch free throws to get the necessary separation and seal the victory. The Sugar Bears were 10-for-12 from the free throw line in the second half.
The Sugar Bears gained their first lead of the second half on one of four three-pointers in the second half at the 14:02 mark.
New Orleans regained the lead briefly at 31-30 on a Halie Matthews fade away jumper. However, a pair of free throws gave Central Arkansas the lead back, and the Privateers could only tie the score once afterward.
Both teams struggled to find their early offensive footing with the first basket not coming until the seventh possession when Yasmin Taylor got a bucket and hit a bonus free throw for an early 3-0 lead for New Orleans.
Central Arkansas hit a 9-0 spurt afterward and enjoyed a 12-5 lead at the 11:08 mark.
The Privateers had a couple of second-chance opportunities and eventually recaptured the lead on a Taylor layup. New Orleans went to the half leading 24-21 and forced 11 Sugar Bears turnovers in the opening half.
Taylor led New Orleans in scoring with 11 points while also adding seven rebounds. Raven Coleman scored eight points and co-led the team in rebounds with eight. Danielle Davis chipped in with six points and eight boards.
Former New Orleans freshman Randi Brown, a former Central Catholic standout, scored five points and had one assist.
The Privateers outscored Central Arkansas 28-12 in the paint during the contest and had all 10 second chance points.
Kendara Watts and Maggie Proffitt both overcame slow starts for 16 points each for Central Arkansas. Brianna Mullins added eight points and went a perfect 6-for-6 from the free throw line for the Sugar Bears.
Central Arkansas shot 42.9 percent for the game.
The Privateers will next face Texas A&M-Corpus Christi Saturday at 4 p.m.