Tulane University
Providence
Burse Leads Tulane Women Past Providence
Dec 27, 1999 | Women's Basketball
Dec. 27, 1999
NEW ORLEANS, La. - - Center Janell Burse posted her fourth double-double of the year with 30 points and 17 rebounds, as the 24th-ranked Tulane women's basketball team cruised to an 81-57 win over Providence in the first round of the Tulane/DoubleTree Classic on Monday at Fogelman Arena.
With the win, Tulane improves to 9-0, matching the school record for consecutive victories. The Wave also improved to 3-0 against Big East opponents so far this season, as Tulane has already posted wins over Miami and Georgetown. Providence dropped to 3-4 on the season.
Burse was almost unstoppable in the first half, recording 16 points and 12 rebounds in 16 minutes of work before the break, to help the Green Wave to a 37-27 halftime advantage. After Providence scored the opening basket, Tulane raced out to a seven-point cushion, leading 13-6 at the 13:39 mark. The Friars answered back and led 20-18 with 8:38 remaining before the Wave closed the half with a 19-7 run in which five Tulane players scored.
Tulane continued its hot streak to start the second half, scoring the first eight points of the second frame and holding Providence to just one field goal over the first seven minutes of the half for a 49-29 lead at the 13:01 mark. The Friars would pull as close as 11 at the 7:59 mark, but Fabrecia Roberson and Salome Hector combined for seven straight points and Kelly Scanlon capped the burst with a three-pointer as Tulane regained a 19-point cushion, 69-50, with 4:59 left to play. A Friar three-pointer brought Providence to within 14 points at the 3:55 mark, but Tulane closed the game with a12-2 run en route to the 24-point victory.
Burse's 17 rebounds tied a career-high, while the junior from New Orleans also added five blocked shots and three steals. Burse has recorded a double-double in all three games against Big East schools so far this season, and is averaging 22.7 points and 14.0 rebounds in those contests. Grace Daley added 19 points and three steals for Tulane. Fabrecia Roberson just missed her second consecutive double-double, scoring 11 points and grabbing nine rebounds. Point guard Sarah Goree also set a career-high with seven assists, while committing just one turnover in 22 minutes of work.
Tulane returns to action on Tuesday, as the Green Wave play host to West Virginia in the second round of the Tulane/DoubleTree Classic. The Mountaineers dropped an 89-73 decision to Lehigh in Monday's other contest. Lehigh and Providence will face off at 6 p.m., while Tulane and West Virginia will meet at approximately 8 p.m.
