Tulane University
Marshall
Tulane Defense Keys 58-40 Win Over Marshall
Feb 17, 2006 | Women's Basketball
Feb. 17, 2006
NEW ORLEANS - Tulane used a strong defensive effort to limit a Marshall team that came into the game tied for second in Conference USA to just 40 points en route to a 58-40 victory over the Thundering Herd in women's basketball action at Fogelman Arena Friday night.
Tulane forced Marshall into 23 turnovers and out-rebounded the Thundering Herd 41-35 to give Green Wave head coach Lisa Stockton her 300th career victory. Tulane improved to 12-10 on the season, 6-7 in Conference USA while the Thundering Herd fell to 13-11, 8-5.
"That's the best defense we have played for 40 minutes this season," Stockton said. "We played with a lot of energy and enthusiasm and even when our shooting went cold, we kept up the defensive intensity. It was a big step forward for us to get a win over the team that was second in the league."
The Green Wave led 18-16 before finishing the first half on an 11-2 run to take a 29-18 halftime lead. Alendra Brown, who finished with 10 points, nine rebounds and a career-high five steals, hit back-to-back layups to start the run.
"Alendra did a great job on their big girl and that set the tone," Stockton said.
Modupe Ishola led the Herd with 11 points and 12 boards, but many came late in the second half. Marshall leading scorer Sikeetha Shepard-Hall was limited to four points on two-of-seven shooting.
The defensive intensity continued into the second half, as Tulane held Marshall without a basket for the first 6:12 of the period. The Green Wave extended its lead to as much as 20 points at 39-19 during that time, capped by a three-point play by Jami Montagnino, who scored 16 points in the game.
Sophomore Nikki Luckhurst led Tulane in scoring with 19 points, including five three-pointers to move into sixth place on the Green Wave single season list for threes. Luckhurst also tied her career high with five steals and pulled down six rebounds.
Stockton, who has recorded 237 of her 300 career wins in 12 seasons at Tulane, reflected only briefly on the milestone victory.
"It certainly makes you reflect on all the teams that have been a part of that," Stockton said. "It makes it special to share it with this team because they are a special group."
Tulane plays its final home game of the season Sunday at 2 p.m. versus East Carolina in Fogelman Arena.
-- Roll Wave --
