Tulane Renews In-state Rivalry with LSU Wednesday
Nov 18, 2014 | Women's Basketball
| Game 3: Tulane (2-0) at LSU (2-1) | |
| When | Wednesday, Nov. 19, 2014 | 7 p.m. CT |
| Where | Baton Rouge, La. | Maravich Center (13,215) | Seating Chart |
| Interviews | Coach Stockton | Danielle Blagg | Kolby Morgan |
| Tickets | Buy tickets | General admission starts as low as #2 |
| Watch Online | SEC Network+ on ESPN3 via watchespn.com |
| Listen | WRBH 88.3 FM - Gus Kattengell on play-by-play |
| Live Stats | Click here |
| Printable Notes | Tulane |
| Social Media | @GreenWaveWBB  | #RollWave | Facebook  | YouTube |
| Tulane Probable Starters | |||||||||
| Pos. | No. | Name | Ht. | Yr. | PPG | RPG | Note | ||
| G | 11 | Leslie Vorpahl | 5-6 | So. | 5.0 | 3.0 | 5.5 Assists per game | ||
| G | 23 | Jamie Kaplan | 5-8 | Sr. | 7.0 | 0.0 | 4.5 Assists per game | ||
| G | 20 | Danielle Blagg | 5-11 | Sr. | 12.0 | 4.0 | .556 three-point field goal percentage | ||
| F | 22 | Tiffany Dale | 6-1 | Sr. | 7.0 | 6.5 | 2.0 blocks per game | ||
| C | 30 | Tierra Jones | 5-9 | Jr. | 11.5 | 3.5 | 11-of-11 from the field. | ||
NEW ORLEANS - After kicking off the new era of Tulane women's basketball with the program's fifth straight 2-0 start, the Green Wave look to renew an in-state rivalry on Wednesday, when they travel down I-10 for a 7 p.m. CT clash with the 2-1 LSU Tigers. The contest will be broadcast on SEC Network-Plus via watchespn.com, and can also be heard via local radio on WRBH 88.3 FM with Gus Kattengell on the call.
Both Tulane's offense and defense surged in its opening contests, as the Green Wave rolled to an 87-57 victory over Mississippi Valley State in the opener and then picked up its first road win at McNeese State, 75-55. The combined 60-point margin of victory tied last year's program-best mark for an opening weekend.
In addition, the Wave's best offensive weapon has been its defense, causing 26.0 turnovers per game, good for a +10.0 turnover margin. In fact, Mississippi Valley State's 32 turnovers were the most created by Tulane since Dec. 1, 2011, vs Southern (32), and the Green Wave's 20 steals tied for the sixth most in a single game.
"I think the nice thing for us is that we're able to get some offense from our defense," Tulane head coach Lisa Stockton stated. "We're able to get some steals and convert on those and that takes a lot of pressure off of our offense."
Reigning American Athletic Conference Freshman of the Week Kolby Morgan leads the squad averaging 14 points and six rebounds per game. Morgan's 28 combined points in the opening contests stood as the third most by a freshman in their Tulane debut, trailing only Leslie Vorpahl (30) and Grace Daley (31).
"It's certainly a great way to start for a freshman," Stockton added. "She's done a tremendous job of really playing within herself. Sometimes as a freshman, you can try to do too much, but she's really done a great job on both ends of the floor."
Danielle Blagg and Tierra Jones also are averaging double-digits in scoring thus far at 12.0 and 11.5 points, respectively. Blagg's 2.5 three-point field goals per game is tied for 10th in The American as the senior is also 7-for-7 from the free-throw line. Meanwhile, Jones captured a career high 16 points at McNeese State and is a perfect 11-for-11 from the floor this season.
"I'm just so happy with Tierra (Jones)," Stockton said. "She worked very hard this summer and came into this year with a new level of confidence and I think that's what you see in her offense."
LSU holds a 29-6 series advantage over Tulane, including a 16-3 mark in Baton Rouge. However, Tulane has begun to swing the momentum of the series, having won three of the last four. Interesting to note that the three wins in the four game span were all won by one field goal, including twice in overtime.
The two squads met just last season inside Devlin Fieldhouse on Jan. 5, where the Tigers bested the Green Wave 63-35. Amongst the four seniors, Danielle Blagg has emphatically enjoyed the most success against LSU, recording 44 points over three games, with scoring results of 9, 22, and 13 points.
LSU opened its season with a 70-54 loss at home to Arkansas-Little Rock after being held scoreless for 12-plus minutes. The Tigers bounced back with a 71-45 win over Sam Houston State before grinding out a 52-44 overtime win against Jackson State.
LSU is scoring 59.0 points per game behind Raigyne Moncrief, the squad's lone player averaging double-digits at 12.3 points per game. Moncrief has gone 11-35 (.314) from the field and 15-21 (.714) from the line, and her 21 free-throw attempts is 13 more than the second highest on the team. Furthermore, the 5'10" sophomore guard is also producing on the glass, leading the team in rebounding at 8.7 boards per game.
"Anytime Tulane and LSU meet up it's going to be a great game," Stockton explained. "I know LSU has struggled a little bit (to start the season) but I think they'll be ready for us. They're a team who will play a really tough defense and make you work for your shots. They're really going to put some pressure on us."
After Wednesday's battle with the Tigers, Tulane returns home for a Nov. 24 clash with N.C. State, with tip-off scheduled for 5 p.m. CT. Be sure to pick up your women's basketball season and/or single game tickets now at the Tulane ticket office. Prices for single game tickets include: $5 bleacher, $10 chairback, and $20 courtside. For additional purchase information, call 504-861-WAVE (9283) or visit the Wilson Athletic Center on Ben Weiner Drive.
