Tulane University
Houston Jaguars
Women's Hoops Holds Off Houston Jaguars
Nov 5, 1999 | Women's Basketball
Nov. 5, 1999
NEW ORLEANS, La. - - Led by New Orleans native Janell Burse, the Tulane women's basketball team posted a 103-92 exhibition win over the Houston Jaguars at Fogelman Arena on Friday.
Burse, a junior center from Redeemer-Seton High School, recorded 34 points and 16 rebounds, while blocking four shots without committing a turnover in 31 minutes of action. She finished the night 15-of-22 from the floor, while eight of her 16 rebounds came on the offensive end of the floor.
For the game, Tulane shot an impressive 52.9 percent from the floor (36-of-68), while holding the Jaguars to just 32.6 percent shooting (28-of-86). The Green Wave, the defending Conference USA regular season and tournament champion, also out-rebounded the Jaguars 63-41.
The Green Wave jumped out to an early 13-point lead, thanks to three pointers from Salome Hector and Kiki Cizmar, and led 16-3 at the 15:17 mark. Houston didn't give up, however, battling back to within three before five straight points from Fabrecia Roberson gave the Wave an eight-point cushion with 1:59 left in the half. Tulane would take a 47-40 lead into the break.
Early in the second half, Houston again cut the Wave lead to just three, 54-51, but Tulane responded with a 20-0 run. Burse started the run with a pair of baskets, before Roberson added two free throws and a jumper courtesy of a Hector assist. The two traded roles just 30 seconds later, as Roberson turned provider to a Hector three-pointer. Burse added another basket and a free throw, while Roberson and Hector again teamed for two points. Sarah Goree added two free throws before a Hector layup from a steal capped the burst. When the dust had settled, Tulane had held Houston without a point for over four minutes, taking a 74-51 advantage.
The Jaguars again battled back, capitalizing on poor Tulane free throw shooting with three pointers at the other end. With Tulane holding an 89-66 lead at the 6:18 mark, the Jaguars nailed five three pointers to cut the Tulane margin to seven, 95-88, with 2:33 left. From there, however, Tulane held Houston to just one field goal to come away with the 103-92 victory.
Roberson, a senior from Heflin, La., scored 18 points for Tulane, while adding eight rebounds and a game-high six assists. Freshman Britt Themann added 14 points on 5-of-7 shooting, including a 4-of-6 effort from the three-point line, while Kiki Cizmar came off the bench to add 13 points on 3-of-3 shooting from behind the arc. Hector gave the Wave a fifth player in double figures, posting 11 points, three assists and two steals.
Tulane returns to action on Sat., Nov. 13, as the Green Wave play host to the Mississippi All-Stars at Fogelman Arena in its final preseason exhibition. Tip off is set for 7 p.m.
