AUM News
LaKenya Drayton recorded her third double-double of the season against New Orleans Thursday.
LaKenya Drayton recorded her third double-double of the season against New Orleans Thursday.
Women's Basketball - Thu. Jan. 26, 2012
Box Score
NEW ORLEANS ---- Behind the third double-double of the season by junior LaKenya Drayton, the Auburn University at Montgomery women's basketball team rallied from a 10-point halftime deficit to defeat New Orleans, 65-59, Thursday at Lakefront Arena.

With the win, the Warhawks improved to 10-10 on the season, while the Lady Privateers remain winless at 0-21.

Drayton led the Warhawks with 20 points, while adding a game-high 11 rebounds in the victory. In the deciding second-half, Drayton and sophomore Keisha Moore scored 10 points each, but the difference came on the boards, where the Hephzibah, Ga., native pulled down nine rebounds in the 17 minutes of play.

For the game, Moore added six rebounds and a pair of steals, while juniors Caitlin Cunningham and Matika Sterling combined for 14 points and 13 rebounds, seven offensive, off the bench.

In the contest, AUM converted 42.4 percent of its shots, including a blazing 53.3 percent in the second half. Likewise, UNO shot better in the first half, 51.9 percent, and raced out to a 35-25 halftime advantage, but converted just 30.3 percent in the second period. Perhaps the major flaw for AUM was free throw shooting, where it made just 12-of-25 attempts (48 percent).

On the boards, the Warhawks dominated, holding a 47-32 total advantage, including an 18-8 lead on the offensive end. The differential led to a significant discrepancy in second-chance points, as AUM scored 21, compared to just four for the Lady Privateers.

Keri Thomas led UNO with 20 points and six rebounds. Mechelle Thomas added 14 points and a game-high eight rebounds.

The Warhawks and Lady Privateers swapped momentum during the first half. UNO opened the game with a 6-2 spurt in the first three minutes, but AUM answered with eight straight and gained a four-point lead, 10-6, following a basket and free throw by Drayton at the 15:45 mark.

However, the Lady Privateers responded with a 12-0 run of their own to take an eight-point lead at 18-10 with 10:23 remaining in the half. The Warhawks battled back and cut the margin to just two points, 20-18, behind five points from Drayton. Despite the rally, AUM trailed by 10, 35-25, at halftime.

In the second half, the Warhawks chipped away, before tying the score at 54-54 on a jumper by junior Stephanie Torrence with 4:45 remaining in the game. AUM took the lead for good on a basket by Drayton with 3:50 remaining and outscored the Lady Privateers 9-5 down the stretch to provide the final margin.

AUM will remain in the Crescent City through Saturday, when it takes on Loyola University at 2 p.m.