NEW ORLEANS – As the calendar has turned to 2025, the New Orleans Privateers women’s basketball schedule picks up with two conference games. The Privateers will face Texas A&M-Corpus Christi on Thursday at 6:30 p.m. and UTRGV on Saturday at 2 p.m.
Both games will be carried on ESPN+.
The Privateers saw a fierce comeback fall just short in their last game at Nicholls on Dec. 22. New Orleans trailed by as many as 20 points but took a lead late in the fourth quarter. The Colonels had a quick five-point surge to regain the lead and held on for a 65-61 decision.
Nora Francois notched her ninth double-double in a Privateer uniform in the loss with 16 points and 10 rebounds. Gabbi Cartagena scored 14 points.
So far this season, New Orleans has done a superb job of keeping teams off the free throw line. They’ve allowed the second fewest attempts (151) and the fewest makes (94) of any team in the Southland. Six opponents this season have attempted fewer than 15 free throws in a game (TCU, Tarleton, Louisiana, Baylor, UAB, Jacksonville State).
Jayla Kimbrough has gone for double figures in eight of the Privateers’ 10 games this season. The redshirt junior is second on the team in scoring at 12.3 points per game. Kimbrough also has the most free throw attempts on the team and is second on the squad in steals coming into the weekend.
Coming into January, the Privateers have had the 50th toughest schedule in the NCAA. That also ranks them second in the Southland only behind Lamar whose strength of schedule is 49. New Orleans has played nine games on the road to start the season.
ABOUT THE OPPONENTS
Texas A&M-Corpus Christi (8-4, 0-1) opened their season with a win against an SEC opponent when they knocked off Texas A&M. The Islanders have won their last three games against UMKC, Eastern Michigan and Schreiner.
Mireia Aguado is the reigning Southland Player of the Week. Aguado leads the team in points, assists and field goal percentage heading into the week. She is shooting 53.3 percent from the field this season.
UTRGV (6-7, 1-1) last played on Dec. 29 when they lost 94-35 to #5 Texas. The Vaqueros won their conference opener against Stephen F. Austin and lost to Lamar, which were both home games.
The Vaqueros are averaging 16.0 assists per game as a team, which ranks second in the Southland and 69th in the NCAA. Charlotte O’Keefe is 17th in the country in rebounding at 10.4 boards per game heading into this week.
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For 54 seasons, Privateer student-athletes have had the unique experience of wearing New Orleans across their chests. Like the city itself, our sports teams have been fueled by resiliency, grit, and the unquenchable desire to win. Our city also houses the nation’s biggest celebration each year. And much like a Mardi Gras parade krewe, we are tethered to our community through pride, tradition, a culture of acceptance, and finally our commitment to show that New Orleans is a world-class city to live, learn, play and work. We invite you to become more involved with the only University that truly represents New Orleans all day, every day. Join #NOLAsTeam, We Are Your Krewe!
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