Tulane University
LSU
Poor Shooting Dooms Tulane Basketball
Dec 23, 2003 | Men's Basketball
Dec 23, 2003
BATON ROUGE, La. - Tulane University shot 34.4 percent from the field and hit just one-of-11 free throws as LSU used its size advantage to take a 67-48 decision from the Green Wave in men's basketball action on Tuesday evening at the Pete Maravich Assembly Center.
Tulane drops to 5-3 on the season, while LSU remains undefeated at 7-0. It was the first meeting between the two teams in Baton Rouge since the 1981-82 season, a postseason NIT victory for the Green Wave.
The Green Wave was led by senior Wayne Tinsley's 12 points while sophomore Vytas Tatarunas narrowly missed his fifth double-double of the year with 10 points and nine boards.
Tulane held LSU to 40.7 percent (24-of-59) shooting, but managed to hit just 21 of its 61 shots in the loss. The Wave shot 29.4 percent (5-of-17) from three-point range as it recorded its lowest scoring output of the year.
"The bottom line is we have to score the basketball," Tulane coach Shawn Finney said. "Going 1-for-11 from the line and 34 percent from the field, that's not going to do it. We didn't make the shots and plays we need to win."
A layup by Wayne Tinsley and back-to-back hoops from George Brown (eight points, seven rebounds) lifted Tulane to a 20-15 advantage with 8:09 to go in the first half, but a deadly drought set in. The Wave would not score the rest of the half, as LSU rattled off 17 straight points for a 32-20 halftime lead.
"We were getting the ball where we wanted to," Finney said. "But costly turnovers took us out of our rhythm and then their size and athleticism affected us. That 17-0 run was the difference in the game."
Tulane starting center Quincy Davis (three points, one rebound) picked up his second foul just three minutes into the game and played just 16 minutes total before fouling out with 5:42 to go in the second half. Brown, the Wave's backup center also picked up two first-half fouls and played in foul trouble throughout the game. LSU big men Jaime Lloreda and Brandon Bass combined for 27 points and 17 rebounds in the victory.
The Green Wave rallied to open the second half as a Tinsley layup and a pair of drives from Ben Benfield pulled Tulane within six at 32-26. However, another drought, this one for 6:21, let LSU build the margin back to 14 at 44-28 with 10 minutes remaining in the contest.
A jumper from Vincent Camper, then five consecutive points from Tatarunas made it 44-35 before LSU's Darrel Mitchell scored nine points to key a 12-2 run which put the game away, making it 58-37 with 4:03 on the clock.
Lloreda led the Tigers with 22 points and 10 boards, while Mitchell scored 19 and Tack Minor added 12.
Tulane returns to action on Saturday afternoon, battling Mississippi State in the first game of the Nokia Sugar Bowl Doubleheader at the New Orleans Arena. Game time is 3:30 p.m. and the contest will be followed by LSU playing UAB at 6 p.m. The Green Wave returns home on Wednesday, Dec. 31st, hosting Nicholls State at 2 p.m. Tickets are available by calling 504-861-WAVE.
