Women's Basketball prevails over the University of New Orleans

IRVING, Texas -- The University of Dallas women's basketball team (11-8) defeated the University of New Orleans Privateers (3-18) on Sunday afternoon at the Maher Athletic Center, 65-53. 

Cara Sczepanski (Highland Village, Texas/Marcus H.S.) turned in yet another solid performance for the Lady Crusaders. The senior forward totaled a game-high 27 points on 11-of-23 shooting from the field, including netting 5-of-6 from the free throw line.

Additionally, Sczepanski's eight rebounds -- two offensive, six defensive -- slotted her tied with fellow teammate Kelly Regan (Plano, Texas/John Paul II H.S.) for the game-high in rebounding. Regan had nine points and three steals. 

The Lady Crusaders faired well from the field in the first half of play, shooting 45.5 percent (15-of-33). Meanwhile, Dallas held New Orleans to 32.3 percent (10-of-31) shooting from the floor in the initial period, and resulting was a 36-23 Lady Crusader advantage entering halftime.  

In the second half, the closest New Orleans came to threatening Dallas occurred with 4:12 remaining in the contest when Dinnelle Cormier sank both of her free throw attempts, pulling the Privateers to within eight points of knotting the score. 

Dallas, however, quickly disbanded any thought of a New Orleans comeback. The Lady Crusaders extended their lead to 16 points -- largest of the game -- at the 1:23 mark of the second half, when Sczepanski knocked down a jumper from a Kylie Yoshimura (Temple City, Calif./Mark Keppel H.S.) assist. 

Yoshimura's ability to drive the lane meant a great deal to Dallas' offensive attack. Seven of the sophomore guard's 13 points, as well as six of her nine assists came in the second half. Defensively, Yoshimura proved a nuisance to the Privateers in recording six steals for the game. 

Up next on the docket for the Lady Crusaders will be a Wednesday, Feb. 2nd road tilt against Austin College. Tip off is scheduled for 6:00 p.m. in Sherman, Texas. On the season, Dallas holds a 1-0 series lead, as they trumped the Kangaroos at the Maher Athletic Center on Jan. 5th, 58-49.