Women's Basketball Set For First Exhibition
Nov 9, 2002 | Women's Basketball
Nov. 9, 2002
NEW ORLEANS, La. - - The Tulane women's basketball team opens the 2002-03 season on Sunday, as the Green Wave play host to the Houston Jaguars in an exhibition contest at Fogelman Arena. Tip-off is scheduled for 2 p.m.
Tulane enters the 2002-03 campaign ranked in the Top 15 in a pair of preseason polls and listed among the nation's best in several others. The Wave are mentioned 12th in the Athlon Sports preseason rankings and 15th by Street & Smith's. In addition, senior Teana McKiver was listed on the Street & Smith's preseason All-America team. Tulane is also listed 28th in the preseason Associated Press poll and 29th in the ESPN/USA Today Coaches poll.
"We're excited to finally get the season underway," Tulane head coach Lisa Stockton said. "We've had some very good practices during the preseason and it will be nice to see how was handle a game-like situation. The Houston Jaguars always bring a very talented team, so we know we'll have a very good test."
Last season, Tulane posted an impressive 24 wins, the third-highest win total in school history. The Green Wave return 11 letterwinners, including four starters, from that sqaud that reached the NCAA Tournament for the eighth consecutive season. McKiver, a preseason All-Conference USA selection, led the Green Wave in scoring last season with 16.4 points per game, while ranking third nationally with a 62.3 field goal percentage.
The Green Wave also faced the Houston Jaguars in last season's exhibition opener, cruising to an 89-65 win. McKiver led the way with 15 points, seven rebounds and two blocks, while Gwen Slaughter had seven points, 10 rebounds, five assists and three blocks. Delacey Joseph added 11 points, six rebounds and a game-high six assists for the Wave.
Sunday's game is the first of two exhibitions for the Green Wave. Tulane will also play host to cross-town rival Xavier next Sunday, Nov. 17. The Green Wave open the regular season on the road against James Madison on Friday, Nov. 22.
