NEW ORLEANS, LOUISIANA – New Orleans held on for a 55-49 win over visiting University of the Incarnate Word on Thursday night in Southland Conference women's basketball action at Lakefront Arena.

The Cardinals (3-10, 0-2) only had seven healthy players for the game, but they pushed the Privateers (4-7, 1-1) to the limit before coming up a little short at the end.  The game was tight throughout the contest with New Orleans holding a slim lead for the majority of the contest.

New Orleans entered the fourth quarter with a 40-34 lead, but that quickly evaporated.  Celia Garcia Paunero (Valladolid, Spain/Otero JC) drained a three-pointer to cut the lead in half.  The Cardinals forced two straight turnovers and pulled to within a point after Quincy Baker (Houston/Klein Forest HS) made a fast break layup after a steal and pass from Aricka Adams (Round Rock/Round Rock HS) with 8:05 remaining.

The Privateers pushed the lead back to four points after a three-pointer by Randi Brown, but the Cardinals would tie the score at 45-45 with 5:03 remaining after a jumper by Adams.  Brown put UNO back in front with a layup and Adams kept the Cardinals close with a layup and a pair of free throws making the score 51-49 New Orleans with 1:09 to play.  New Orleans was able to salt the game away with four straight free throws in the final 23 seconds.

The Cardinals shot 37.8 percent from the field, made 2-of-11 from three-point range and were 13-of-14 at the foul line.  Yvonne Maosa (Arlington/Mansfield HS) led the team with 14 points and grabbed six rebounds.  Adams finished with 12 points and four assists.  Garcia Paunero led the team with nine rebounds.

The Privateers finished the game shooting 43.1 percent from the field, made 2-of-7 from three-point range and were 9-for-13 at the charity stripe.  Brown led all players with 16 points while Kayla Mundy chipped in with 10 points off the bench.  Mathilde Fogelstrom led the team with six rebounds.  UNO finished with 15 steals and forced 24 turnovers while the Cardinals grabbed four more rebounds than the Privateers.

The Cardinals are back in action on Saturday at 2 p.m. against Southland rival Northwestern State University.
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