Tulane University
3-1
LSU
3-2
Women's Hoops Earn 67-63 Win vs LSU
Nov 23, 2015 | Women's Basketball
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NEW ORLEANS - In a battle between two of Louisiana's top women's basketball schools, it was the Tulane Green Wave (3-1) that earned bragging rights Monday evening when they defeated LSU (3-2), 67-63, at Avron B. Fogelman Arena in Devlin Fieldhouse. The Olive and Blue have now bested the Tigers in five of their past six encounters, all by single-digit victories.
Four Green Wave finished in double figures, led by Kolby Morgan's first double-double of the season and second in her career, recording 18 points and 11 rebounds, with the latter tying her career high. Leslie Vorpahl tallied double-digits for the fourth consecutive game with 16 points and a team best five assists. Vorpahl has now dished out 21 total assists so far this season.
"Getting this momentum was really important," Tulane women's basketball head coach Lisa Stockton stated. "We play some really good opponents coming up this week, and it's nice to have a little momentum and confidence going into that. It probably takes a little pressure off the next game. We were disappointed about Florida State but we were able to come back tonight and secure the win."
After a brief 6-4 lead to start the contest, the Green Wave found themselves trailing almost the entirety of the first half as the Tigers broke out a 13-2 run in the opening quarter to garner a 17-8 lead. However, in the second quarter, the Wave began to slowly chip away at the LSU lead, downing six straight buckets over a four minute span to cut the deficit to 30-27.
Later, at the 31 second mark, Vorpahl hit her first three-pointer of the game to send the Wave into the locker-room at half with a 33-33 tie. Duru sparked the offense in the first half, tallying all 10 of her points by the midway point, marking a season best for the senior.
The third quarter ultimately turned the tide for the Wave, as Courtnie Latham kicked off the half with a 6-0 individual run that eventually led to Tulane outscoring LSU, 18-4. The Green Wave defense forced LSU to shoot 2-of-13 in the quarter and forced six Tiger turnovers as well.
With a 51-37 Tulane lead to start the fourth quarter, LSU began to cut back into the deficit, pulling within four at 65-61 with 11 seconds remaining. However, the Wave, whose second and last field goal of the quarter occurred at the 5:30 mark, turned to its free throw shooting to protect the lead. Thus, Tulane scored its final 10 points from the free-throw line, as Tierra Jones, Vorpahl, and Latham all chipped in to secure the win. Latham ultimately finished with a season best 14 points and a 5-for-6 night from the charity stripe.
Team stat wise, Tulane outrebounded LSU, 37-32, and shot over 40 percent from the field for the fourth straight game this season. LSU finished with 16 turnovers in which the Wave converted into 24 points, signaling the third consecutive game in which they passed the 20-point mark in that category.
Up next, the Green Wave will spend their Thanksgiving week in the Virgin Islands, competing in the Paradise Jam. The three-day tournament in St. Thomas will feature Tulane clashing with Rutgers (Nov. 26), Green Bay (Nov. 27) and Virginia (Nov. 28). For more information, please visit TulaneGreenWave.com for details.
