Tulane University
South Florida
Women's Basketball Falls To South Florida
Jan 20, 2002 | Women's Basketball
Jan. 20, 2002
NEW ORLEANS, La. - - Despite double-doubles from Teana McKiver and Tiffany Wilson, the Tulane women's basketball team dropped a 69-64 decision to Conference USA rival South Florida at Fogelman Arena on Sunday.
Tulane drops to 15-5 overall and 3-2 in league action. South Florida improves to 12-6 and 2-3 in C-USA play.
Tulane took a 31-28 lead into the halftime lockerroom, and pushed its advantage to 41-32 at the 16:22 mark. However, South Florda used an 24-3 burst to build a 56-44 lead with 7:05 left. The Wave fought back to within two, and trailed 66-64 with six seconds left, but USF hit three more free throws to claim the five-point victory.
Wilson, earning her first career start, responded with career-highs of 16 points and 13 rebounds for her first career double-double. She was 7-of-10 from the floor and had three asissts, a blocked shot and a steal in a career-best 35 minutes of work. McKiver was also 7-of-10 from the floor to finish with 17 points and 10 rebounds for her fifth double-double of the season.
Tulane looked in control early, thanks in large part to Wilson, who had a basket, and offensive rebound, an assist and a steal in the first 78 seconds alone. Wilson hit the first basket of the game and then grabbed an offensive rebound on the Wave's next possession before assisting on a Kelly Nadeau three-pointer. On South Florida's ensuing possession, Wilson picked up a steal to start a play that culminated with a Teana McKiver lay-up and a 7-0 Tulane lead.
The Wave pushed its lead to as many as eight in the first half before the Bulls whittled the margin to just three at the break.
South Florida's Aiya Shepard led all scorers with 25 points, thanks in part to a 13-of-19 effort from the free throw line. For the game, South Florida was 25-of-36 from the charity stripe, while Tulane was just 14-of-30. Tulane also struggled from behind the three-point arc, hitting just 2-of-18 from long range, including an 0-of-9 showing in the second half. Tulane out-rebounded South Florida 52-36.
The Green Wave return to action on Friday, Jan. 25, as the Green Wave travel to Chicago to face Conference USA-rival DePaul. Tip-off is scheduled for 7 p.m. CST.
