LAKE CHARLES, La. – Sixth-seeded McNeese went on an 8-0 run in overtime to pick up an 87-82 win over seventh-seeded New Orleans in the first round of the 2023 Jersey Mike’s Southland Conference Women’s Basketball Championship presented by LouisianaTravel.com on Monday afternoon.
 
The lead never reached double figures in either team's favor, but McNeese (12-18 overall) outscored the Privateers 15-10 in the extra frame to set up a postseason Battle of the Border with third-seeded Lamar at 1:30 p.m. Tuesday in the quarterfinal round. New Orleans’ season ends at 8-20 overall.
 
This is McNeese’s first SLC Tournament victory since the opening round in 2017.
 
Desirae Hansen and Kaili Chamberlin led McNeese with 19 points apiece, leading four Cowgirls in double digit scoring. Divine Tanks scored 16 and Stephanie Guihon scored 14.
 
DeArica Pryor led the Privateers with 35 points – the most scored by a women’s player in the Southland this season. UNO had a 45-41 rebounding edge and made 78.8 percent (26-of-33) of its free throws.
 
The Cowgirls jumped out to a 17-19 lead in the first six minutes of the game, but the Privateers closed the first quarter on a 13-2 heater, including 10 straight points. UNO led 23-19 after the first quarter.
 
The Privateers made only three field goals in the second quarter, though, and McNeese was able to steadily erode the lead. Two late free throws closed out a 6-2 run to leave the game knotted up at 34-all at the halftime break.
 
Similar to the first quarter, McNeese took the momentum early in the third quarter, scoring 10 of the first 14 points in the period. The lead went up to eight points at the 3:41 mark, when Chamberlin hit a three-pointer to make it 49-41. The Privateers fought right back with seven consecutive points and the lead was 54-52 to McNeese with 10 minutes left in regulation.
 
After a quick tie, Hansen hit back-to-back treys to put the Cowgirls up six. The Privateers scored 10 of the next 12 points to regain the advantage and set up a hectic close to regulation. UNO led 72-68 entering the final minute, but Guihon scored four straight to send the game to the extra period at 72-72.
 
New Orleans had a slight edge early in the bonus frame before an eight-point McNeese run put the Cowgirls in front for good. McNeese made five free throws in the final 30 seconds to seal the win.