Tulane University
Southeastern La.
Southeastern Louisiana Executes to Defeat Green Wave Men
Dec 20, 2003 | Men's Basketball
Dec. 20, 2003
NEW ORLEANS, La. - Southeastern Louisiana protected the ball, controlled the offensive glass and hit its free throws to defeat Tulane University, 66-63, in men's basketball action on Saturday evening at Fogelman Arena.
Southeastern (5-2) held a 61-51 advantage with four minutes to go and then held off a late Tulane (5-2) rally to win the game. The Lions hit just three-of-six free throws in the final minutes, but for the game, they buried 80 percent (20-of-25) from the charity stripe. In addition, SLU had 20 offensive rebounds and just eight turnovers to the Green Wave's 15.
"You have to give Southeastern credit," Tulane coach Shawn Finney said. "They came out and out-worked us. They wanted it more than we did."
The Lions outrebounded Tulane, 46-37, overall, to offset its 34.4 percent (22-of-64) shooting from the field. Tulane shot 42.9 percent (24-of-56) from the floor.
"We're not a team that can come into a game without focus, without playing hard, and without executing," Finney said.
Tulane had not played a game since Dec. 10 due to final exams.
The Green Wave was led by sophomore Vytas Tatarunas who posted his fourth double-double of the year with 17 points and a career-high 14 rebounds. Junior Ben Benfield scored a game-high 18 points for the Wave, but left the game late due to injury. Sophomore Quincy Davis added 10 points.
"Vy did a good job on the glass," Finney said. "But he was the only one fighting for the rebounds."
Southeastern's attack was led by big man Nate Lofton, who dominated in the second half, scoring 15 of his 17 points and grabbing seven of his eight rebounds. Early in the second half, Lofton scored nine straight points in the paint, lifting SLU to a 39-35 advantage with 12:13 to go. After Tulane knotted the game on a Benfield three-pointer, Michael Gardener connected on a three, Lofton dunked on an in-bounds pass and then Lofton found Lane Frey for another three-pointer and a 47-39 Lion advantage with 9:12 to go.
"Lofton did a good job," Finney said. "He's very crafty and gifted at scoring around the basket. He was ready."
Tulane pulled within three with 58 seconds to go after a massive rebound dunk by Tatarunas, but Southeastern clinched the game by protecting the ball and hitting enough free throws in the final minute.
Up next for the Green Wave is its first road trip of the season as Tulane plays at in-state rival LSU on Tuesday evening at 7 p.m. The Wave returns to New Orleans for a Dec. 27th game against Mississippi State at the New Orleans Arena as part of the Nokia Sugar Bowl Classic. The next Fogelman Arena game is New Year's Eve at 2 p.m. with Tulane hosting Nicholls State. Tickets are available by calling 504-861-WAVE.
