NEW ORLEANS, La. - Houston Christian University was hot from the start, connecting on its first eight shots and cruising to a 79–66 victory at University of New Orleans in Lakefront Arena on Wednesday afternoon. The Huskies took control late in the first period and placed a quintet of players in double-figure scoring to secure victory in the Southland Conference opener and third straight win overall.

Grace Booth and Madelyne Davis knocked down a pair of early threes and another by Jordan Jackson gave HCU a 16-13 lead with 5:13 to play. A layup by Hannah Fields with just over three minutes left in the period put HCU ahead to stay at 18-16, and a three from the top of the key by Jo Oly capped a blistering first period as the Huskies shot 9-11 for 82% to take a 25-16 lead.

Oly scored again running the floor at the outset of the second period, giving the Huskies a 29-16 lead. Tove Caesar would later can two consecutive from long range, and HCU led by 19, 41-22 with just over four in the period before taking a 45-31 lead into the break.
 

New Orleans made a push in the third quarter, trimming the lead to 11 behind Jayla Kimbrough's interior scoring, but HCU would answer every run. Booth added another three and Davis scored in transition as the Huskies rebuilt their cushion. Fields' layup and free throws helped steady the group, sending HCU into the fourth with a 60–49 advantage. 

The Huskies took control for good in the fourth quarter as McLaurin delivered another burst, hitting two threes in the opening minutes to extend the lead back to 20.
 

The Huskies shot 54.7 percent from the field on the afternoon, assisting 23 times on 29 made baskets. That hot shooting included a 48% clip from long range as HCU knocked down 13-27 from the arc on the afternoon. It was the most three's made in a game since hitting 14 in a 101-42 win over Arlington Baptist in 2022. The HCU defense converted 23 UNO turnovers into 34 points while outrebounding the Privateers 28-21.

Grace Booth and Kamryn McLaurin paced five players in double-digits with 15 points each. Booth added eight boards and five assists. 

Tove Caesar had 12 points, three rebounds and three assists, while Hannah Fields had 11 points off the bench. Madelyne Davis rounded out the quintet with 10 points, three rebounds and matched her career-best with six assists. 

Jayla Kimbrough led New Orleans (0-6 / 0-1 Southland) with 14 points and seven boards. 

HCU improves to 3–3 overall and 1–0 in Southland play. The Huskies will be off until December 5, when they travel to Tampa, Florida for a game with University of South Florida.