Tulane University
California
Rally Comes Up Short For Women's Basketball
Dec 7, 2003 | Women's Basketball
Dec. 7, 2003
BERKELEY, Calif. - - Junior Lakethia Hampton recorded her first double-double of the season with 17 points and 13 rebounds, but it was not enough as the Tulane women's basketball team dropped a hard-fought 66-61 decision to host California in the championship game of the Oakland Tribune Classic at Haas Pavilion on Sunday.
Tulane dropped to 2-4 with the loss, while California improved to 5-2 overall. The Bears won their tournament for the first time since the 1998 season.
Cal took its largest lead of the game, 47-27, with 11:55 left before Kelly Nadeau hit a three-pointer to start an 18-3 Tulane run to pull the Wave to within five, 50-45, with 5:50 left. Cal scored back-to-back baskets to push its lead back to nine, but the Wave rallied again, pulling to within four, 59-55, on a D'Aundra Henry three-pointer with 1:42 left. But from there, Cal hit just enough free throws to stave off the Wave and held on for the 66-61 victory.
"In the first half, I didn't think we stayed in our offenses and we weren't aggressive," Tulane head coach Lisa Stockton said. "In the second half, we were much more aggressive going to the basket and we were able to hit some baskets. We put a press on with 12 minutes left and got some quick scores and our kids were really into it. But, it is just tough to dig yourself out of a 20-point hole. We are a young team and are still learning, but I think we are a better team now than we were even two days ago."
Hampton was named to the All-Tournament team, finishing 7-of-13 from the floor. Senior Kelly Nadeau was also named to the All-Tournament team, finishing with 10 points on Sunday.
Tulane will take an 11-day break for semester exams, but will return to action on Dec. 18 when the Wave play host to James Madison at Fogelman Arena.
