Tulane University
3-2
Rutgers
3-2
WBB Drops 75-51 Paradise Jam Opener to Rutgers
Nov 26, 2015 | Women's Basketball
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THOMAS, V.I. - The Tulane women's basketball team (3-2) will have to quickly put their opening game of the Paradise Jam behind them, after dropping a tough 75-51 loss to Big Ten foe, Rutgers (3-2), on Thanksgiving Day. Sophomore guard Kolby Morgan registered her fifth straight game in double figures with her team high 13 points, while junior guard Courtnie Latham followed close behind with 11 points.
"Offensively, we just didn't accomplish what we need to do," Tulane head coach Lisa Stockton said. "Not scoring really allowed Rutgers to score easy baskets in transition. This just wasn't our normal performance offensively. It's tough when you have to bounce back tomorrow."
Tulane was plagued by cold shooting in the opening minutes, starting just 1-for-12 from the field, as Rutgers took advantage to build a 15-3 lead. With 6:32 remaining in the second quarter, the Scarlet Knights were up 25-11, also taking advantage of eight early Tulane turnovers.
The Green Wave rallied as Leslie Vorpahl, Harlyn Wyatt, Latham and Taylor Emery combined for a 9-0 run to pull Tulane within five at 25-20. Yet, Rutgers countered with a 10-3 run to end the second quarter, up 37-25, which capped a first half in which they shot 17-of-33 (51.5%).
Rutgers' hot shooting only grew in the second half where they shot 60.9 percent from the field (14-of-23) to finish with an overall 55.4 shooting percentage, which marked a new season high. Senior Kahleah Copper powered the Scarlet Knight attack, scoring 28 points on 11-of-17 shooting on the afternoon.
The Green Wave got as close as 10 points within Rutgers' lead in the third quarter but ultimately could never could find their rhythm. After shooting above 40.0 percent for the first four games, the Wave shot 31.7 percent.
In addition, the Scarlet Knights outscored Tulane 34-20 in the paint and was efficient in transition, scoring 19 points via the fast break. Finally, Tulane and Rutgers finished with 34 rebounds apiece.
Up next, the Green Wave return to action on Friday when they clash with Green Bay (2-1) in day two of the Paradise Jam at Noon CT. The Phoenix suffered their first defeat of the season on Thursday to Virginia, losing 68-59.
"That's the challenge here," Stockton explained. "We had to battle it out today and now we have to turn it around and play again tomorrow, but it's even for every team. Every team has to fight to the end, and I said at the start of the tournament that Green Bay was one of the better teams."
