Sharon Smith scored 19 points, including five three-pointers, in her first start as the New Orleans Privateers lost 90-58 to the South Florida Bulls. The Privateers initially led the game, but South Florida regained control quickly. A series of fouls hampered New Orleans, leading to 18 free throw attempts for the Bulls compared to just 4 for the Privateers in the first half. Despite a late first-half effort from Smith, the Bulls pulled ahead with a dominating third quarter. Raina Tomasicka led South Florida with 21 points, while Aaliyah Ellis and Lauren Banks contributed 11 points each for the Privateers.

By the Numbers
  • Sharon Smith scored 19 points, hitting five three-pointers.
  • South Florida shot 50.8% from the field, outscoring New Orleans 25-8 in the third quarter.
Yes, But

The Privateers struggled with foul trouble, resulting in five players with two fouls in the first half, which limited their scoring opportunities compared to South Florida's free throw advantage.

State of Play
  • New Orleans trailed 38-25 at halftime due to a lack of scoring depth outside of Smith.
  • The Privateers managed only 4-of-14 shooting in the third quarter, leading to the Bulls' decisive victory.
What's Next

The Privateers will return to their home court on Sunday, December 7, to face off against LSU, aiming to bounce back from this defeat.

Bottom Line

While Sharon Smith's performance was noteworthy, the Privateers need to address their foul issues and improve overall shooting to compete effectively in their upcoming games.