Tulane University
LSU
![David Gomez matched his career-high with 21 points on Tuesday against LSU. [File photo by Ned Dishman]](https://images.sidearmdev.com/resize?url=https%3A%2F%2Fdxbhsrqyrr690.cloudfront.net%2Fsidearm.nextgen.sites%2Ftulanegreenwave.com%2Fimages%2F2006%2F1%2F3%2F99875.jpeg&height=300&type=webp)
Gomez Homecoming Not Enough for Tulane
Jan 3, 2006 | Men's Basketball
Jan. 3, 2006
BATON ROUGE, La. - Sophomore forward David Gomez made a strong return to his hometown, matching his career-high with 21 points, but it was not enough for the Tulane men's basketball team as it fell to LSU, 75-58, on Tuesday evening at the Pete Maravich Assembly Center.
Gomez, a Baton Rouge product from Episcopal High School, connected on 8-of-18 shots while playing a career-high 32 minutes. Junior Andrew Garcia added 11 points off the bench for the Wave.
"David Gomez, I have to play him more than 32 minutes because he is doing what he needs to do," Tulane coach Dave Dickerson said. "I was pleased with his effort and his intensity tonight."
Tulane (3-8) rallied at the end of the first half to six at the break, 34-28. However, LSU (8-4) slowly built the lead back to 44-31 with 16:26 remaining in the game. Gomez scored on back-to-back baskets in the lane to cut it to nine, but then the high-flying Tigers exploded for a 14-2 run to take a 58-37 lead with 9:09 to go.
"When you play a team like LSU with that many athletes who jump out of the gym and over the rim, it can be kind of intimidating to some guys," Dickerson said. "LSU is the most athletic team we will play all year and they showed it tonight."
The Wave continued to battle however. Donnie Stith knocked down a long three and then Gomez scored on a turnaround jumper from the baseline to cut the margin to 20 at 70-50 with 5:02 to go. LSU followed with a couple of free throws, but Tulane's Kory Castine connected on a pair of hook shots and Gomez hit two free throws to make it 74-56, but just 1:10 remained in the contest.
"I am proud of how our guys played, we played hard the entire game," Dickerson said. "We just couldn't put the ball in the basket. Our offense is working, we're getting the ball where we need to get it to be successful."
Tulane shot just 32.2 percent (19-of-59) from the floor - a season-low, despite holding LSU to just 39.0 percent (23-of-59) shooting - a season-low for the Tigers as well. The Wave was out-rebounded by just three at 42-39; LSU had entered the game leading the SEC in rebounding margin at 17.5 per game.
"We knew one of our keys was to contain them on the glass," Dickerson said. "We did that, but the other key was to make shots and make plays. Our starters shot 5-of-28 and that was a big key to the game. A lot of those misses came on makeable shots."
Tulane's bench outscored the starters 38-20 in the game. LSU also took advantage of 21 Wave turnovers, outscoring Tulane 22-10 in points off turnovers.
LSU was led by freshman Tyrus Thomas, who had 20 points and nine rebounds. Senior Darrel Mitchell added 13 points while big man Glen Davis had 10 points and 10 rebounds - the first double-double of the year against Tulane. Davis had come in to the game averaging 19.3 points and 10.0 rebounds per game.
"Tulane played hard," LSU coach John Brady said. "They got 39 rebounds on us and went to the board a little bit when the ball went up. We made them miss some shots and battled them around the goal a little bit. It could have been a little bit different."
The Green Wave returns to action on Saturday evening, hosting Savannah State at Fogelman Arena at 7 p.m. Tickets are available by calling 504-247-1240 or 247-1241, online at TulaneGreenWave.com, or by visiting the Tulane Box Office, now located at Fogelman Arena.
