Tulane University
Vasda (Exhibition)
Men's Basketball Defeats Vasda
Nov 11, 2000 | Men's Basketball
Nov. 11, 2000
NEW ORLEANS, La. - A ferocious Tulane University full-court press held Vasda to just two points in the final three minutes as the Green Wave came from behind to earn a 65-60 victory in men's exhibition basketball action on Saturday afternoon at Fogelman Arena.
Senior Ledaryl Billingsley (Chicago, Ill.) led the Wave with 18 points and 16 rebounds, while sophomore Brandon Brown (Houma, La.) notched a double-double with 11 points and 12 rebounds, including four key free throws in the final two minutes.
Vasda, a team of former college standouts, built an 11-point second half advantage with 7:06 to go at 51-40, however, first-year head coach Shawn Finney directed his charges to turn up the intensity. Tulane held Vasda to just nine points in the final seven minutes, while forcing seven turnovers. Billingsley and sophomore Brandon Spann (New Orleans, La.) keyed the initial spurt, an 11-2 jump, making the score 53-51 in favor of Vasda with 3:32 to go.
The visitors rallied with a three-pointer from Steve Goolsby and a jumper from Eddie Williams sandwiched around a layup from Tulane junior Linton Johnson (Chicago, Ill.), making it 58-53. However, Brown would hit three-of-four foul shots and then Johnson hit a foul line jumper to knot the game at 58 with 1:47 remaining. A steal by Johnson set up a layup for freshman Wayne Tinsley (Fontana, Calif.) to put the Green Wave on top for the first time since the opening stanza.
The helter-skelter press continued to give Vasda fits, even though Tulane could not capitalize until 25 seconds remaining and Johnson was hacked. He stepped to the line and knocked down a pair of charity shots to give the Wave a four-point lead. Two more free throws from Brown with 16 seconds remaining clinched the victory.
Spann added14 points and five assists, while Johnson hit double digits with 10 points.
Tulane officially opens its first season under Finney on Friday (Nov. 17), hosting Nicholls State at Fogelman Arena. The Green Wave women's basketball team opens the evening at 6 p.m. against Nicholls, followed by the men's contest as the nightcap beginning at approximately 8 p.m.
