Tulane University
Marquette (C-USA Tournament)
Marquette Edges Tulane Out Of Conference USA Tournament
Mar 7, 2001 | Men's Basketball
March 7, 2001
LOUISVILLE, Ky. - Tulane University battled Marquette University throughout a tough game, but the Golden Eagles held on for a 72-67 victory in first round action at the Conference USA Men's Basketball Championship on Wednesday evening at Freedom Hall.
Tulane (9-21), the No. 12 seed in the tournament, was led by junior Linton Johnson (Chicago, Ill.) and sophomore Brandon Brown (Houma, La.), who both tallied 17 points with seven rebounds. Senior Ledaryl Billingsley (Chicago, Ill.) added 12 points, while sophomore Brandon Spann (New Orleans, La.) scored 10 points and had six assists.
Marquette (15-13), the No. 5 seed, was led by Cordell Henry's 16 points. Senior Brian Wardle, the third-leading scorer in C-USA history, was held scoreless in the first half and finished with 12 points.
A three-pointer by Johnson with 2:57 to go put the Green Wave on top, 63-61. However, Marquette answered with a driving layup and free throw by Wardle to pull ahead, 64-63 with 2:52 to go. However, a Tulane turnover was followed by a lay-in by Odartey Blankson (six points, eight rebounds).
On the next possession, Brown worked the post game, scoring on a short jumper in the lane to make it a one-point game, 66-65 with 1:05 to go. The Golden Eagles worked the clock down and Wardle attempted an off-balance three-pointer. The shot was off the mark, but Oluoma Nnamaka (13 points) snagged the rebound and put it back with 25 clicks remaining for a 68-65 lead.
The Green Wave worked for a three-pointer, however, an offensive foul call turned the ball back to Marquette with 13 seconds to go. Wardle and Henry proceeded to hit two free throws each, while Tulane freshman Wayne Tinsley (Fontana, Calif.) slipped an 18-foot jumper in-between to account for the final margin.
"The effort was there tonight," Tulane had coach Shawn Finney said. "I'm very proud of this team. They played as hard as they have all season. They gave everything they had and I love every one of these guys."
"Our game plan was not to let Wardle have a big night," Finney continued. "But other guys stepped up for them when they had to make some plays. They made the shots when they had to."
Tulane fell behind by eight points, 24-16, with seven minutes remaining in the first half. However, Brown scored six points to key a 14-4 Wave run to close the half with Tulane on top, 30-28.
The Green Wave loses only Billingsley to graduation. Finney has already signed two recruits for next season and Tulane has a pair of players red-shirting who are expected to be key contributors in 2001-2001.
"I just want to thank Coach Finney and his staff for helping me become a better player," Johnson said. "Next year we'll have some more players and more experience. I think, no, I know we will be very good next year."
