Tulane University
2-0
McNeese State
1-1
Tulane Downs McNeese State 75-55
Nov 16, 2014 | Women's Basketball
LAKE CHARLES, La. - The Tulane women's basketball team utilized another second half 40+ point scoring performance to put its second straight game out of reach, besting McNeese State 75-55 inside Burton Coliseum on Sunday afternoon. With today's victory, the Green Wave not only move to 2-0 for the fifth straight year, but also tie last year's program best mark of opening wins with a combined 60-point margin of victory.
"I thought at times we were sloppy, but in the second half we had much better energy and shot selection. It's nice to see that we're able to finish better in the second half, which was one of our issues last year," Tulane head coach Lisa Stockton stated.
Tulane's offense was spearheaded by junior Tierra Jones, who achieved a career high 16 points. Jones recorded a perfect 8-8 day from the field to go along with her four rebounds and one steal in 11 minutes of play.
In addition, Danielle Blagg and Kolby Morgan also followed suit with their second straight double-digit scoring games to start the season. Blagg connected on three three-pointers then went 4-4 from the free throw-line to get to 13 points.
Meanwhile, Morgan notched 12 points after going 5-10 from the field, thus shooting at .500 or above for the second straight game. In fact, Morgan's 28 points through two games is the second best two-game Green Wave debut in the last decade, as Leslie Vorpahl netted 30 total points just last season.
"I think (Kolby Morgan) is going to be a real special player. The thing we've seen is how much she means to this team on defense. We knew she could score, but defensively she's played really well. She's very mature for a freshman."
The first half started off with both teams going back and forth trading baskets, unable to settle into a rhythm. With the score at 16-15 in favor of Tulane, the Green Wave produced the first big run of the game (10-1) to jump out to a 26-16 lead. The Green and Blue would carry that momentum into halftime, where they had a seven point lead at 32-25.
Then just like the season opener, the Green Wave came out firing on both sides of the court to start the second period. Offensively, Tierra Jones scored eight of the team's first 12 points before a third foul forced the junior to take a seat on the bench and cool her hot streak. Then on the defensive side, after a quick Cowgirls bucket to start the half, Tulane held McNeese State scoreless for four and a half minutes, building a 44-25 lead.
Later on, just over the midway point of the half, the Cowgirls began to rally, pulling within seven points of the Green Wave at the 8:40 mark. Yet, Tulane's defense once again rose to the occasion, holding McNeese State to just one field goal over the next five minutes and seven seconds, resulting in a 17-2 run, and the eventual 20-point victory.
Both Chinwe Duru and Tiffany Dale had a big day on the boards, tallying 10 rebounds each. Duru also recorded a team high three blocks to go along with her nine points as Dale netted six points on three field goals with two steals.
With today's win. Tulane has now won seven straight against the Cowgirls, with the streak dating back to Dec. of 1994. Furthermore, Tulane's senior foursome have outscored McNeese State 218-167 in their three victories against them.
Up next, Tulane renews its rivalry with LSU, when they travel down I-10 to Baton Rouge on Wednesday, Nov. 19, for a 7 p.m. showdown.
