Sharon Smith scored 19 points, including five three-pointers, in her first start of the season for the New Orleans Privateers women’s basketball team. Despite her performance, the Privateers lost 90-58 to the South Florida Bulls on Sunday at the Yuengling Center in Tampa.
Smith opened the game with a steal and fast break layup. She led New Orleans in scoring during the first half with eight points. The Bulls responded quickly, regaining and holding onto the lead for the rest of the game. In the first half, South Florida capitalized on 18 free throw attempts and outscored New Orleans 14-4 from the line. Five Privateers players had two fouls each by halftime.
South Florida extended its lead to 18 points before Smith hit two three-pointers late in the second quarter, reducing the deficit to 13 points at halftime. The score was 38-25 in favor of South Florida at intermission.
The Bulls increased their advantage in the third quarter with a 12-2 run and outscored New Orleans 25-8 during that period. The Privateers shot just under 29 percent from the field in that quarter while South Florida made over half their attempts.
Raina Tomasicka led all scorers with 21 points for South Florida. Katie Davidson contributed 15 points, and Fatou Diakite added nine points along with a team-high 11 rebounds. The Bulls finished shooting just over 50 percent from the field.
For New Orleans, Aaliyah Ellis and Lauren Banks also reached double figures with 11 points each. Banks grabbed five rebounds while Ellis collected four. Jayla Kimbrough scored seven points, and Chenai Mushore added six points, two rebounds, and one block.
The Privateers will return home to play LSU on Sunday, December 7.
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