Women's Basketball Set To Host Nationally-Ranked Purdue
Nov 28, 2001 | Women's Basketball
Nov. 28, 2001
NEW ORLEANS, La. - -
The Tulane women's basketball team returns to action on Thursday, as the Green Wave play host to nationally-ranked Purdue in the New Orleans Arena. Tip-off is scheduled for 7 p.m.
The game will be the first-ever women's NCAA Division I women's college basketball game played in the Arena and will pit the 4-0 Green Wave against last season's national runner-up. Purdue enters the game with a 3-1 record and ranked 10th in the latest Associated Press poll. The Boilermakers are also ranked 11th in the most recent ESPN/USA Today Coaches' poll.
"This is an exciting game for our program for many reasons," Tulane head coach Lisa Stockton said. "Purdue will present a great test for our team and give us a good indication of where we are. Hopefully we will be a better team on Friday regardless of the outcome. This is also a great chance for the city of New Orleans to see some great basketball at the site of a future Final Four."
Tulane enters Thursday's game with a 4-0 record after posting three consecutive wins to win the San Juan Shootout this past weekend. The Wave opened the tournament with victories against UPR-Mayaguez and Hampton before posting an 84-78 win over Nebraska in the championship game. Junior Teana McKiver earned tournament Most Valuable Player honors after averaging 23.7 points and 9.3 rebounds, while connecting on an amazing 28-of-30 shots from the floor in the three games. She was joined on the all-tournament team by Gwen Slaughter and Delacey Joseph.
Purdue dropped an 80-75 decision to then-No. 4 Oklahoma to start the season, but has rallied for three straight home wins. The Boilermakers have reached the national championship game in two of the last three seasons, winning the 1999 Final Four before finishing as runners-up this past season after falling 68-66 to Notre Dame in the championship game. Purdue is led by sophomore Shereka Wright, who is averaging 14.8 points and 4.8 rebounds per contest. Guard Kelly Komara chips in 12.5 points per contest, while Laura Meadows adds a team-best 8.0 rebounds per game.
Thursday's game marks the first-ever meeting between Tulane and Purdue, though Boilermaker head coach Kristy Curry should be familiar with New Orleans. Then known as Krsity Sims, she served as an assistant coach at Tulane during the 1991-92 and 1992-93 seasons under then-coach Candi Harvey.
Tulane has little rest after the game with Purdue, as the Green Wave return action with a pair of games this weekend. The Wave will welcome McNeese State, Creighton and Florida to Fogelman Arena for the Tulane Invitational. Creighton and Florida will open the tournament on Saturday at 3 p.m., followed by Tulane and McNeese State at approximately 5 p.m. The losers of the first two games will meet in the consolation game on Sunday at 3 p.m., while the winners will face off for the championship at 5 p.m.
