Tulane University
17-5, 8-3AAC
SMU
4-17, 0-10AAC
Tulane's Offense Rolls in 84-60 Win Over SMU
Feb 3, 2015 | Women's Basketball
DALLAS - On a Tuesday evening inside Moody Coliseum, the Tulane women's basketball squad (17-5, 8-3) completed the season sweep of SMU (4-17, 0-10), defeating the Mustangs by the score of 84-60. Four Green Wave players scored in double figures, led by Kolby Morgan's 18 points.
"I thought offensively we had so much balance. We were able to pass the ball around and get scoring from every different direction. I loved Tiffany Dale and Chinwe Duru working together inside. Much better job defensively in the second half and offensively we just started clicking," Tulane head coach Lisa Stockton said.
Tulane started the first half on fire, sinking their first three of four shots from three-point range and scoring on their first seven of nine possessions. Then, from 15:57 to 11:51, the Wave produced a 13-0 run to open up a 24-9 lead.
Plenty of the Green Wave got in on the early action for at the 9:22 mark, Adesuwa Ebomwonyi became the eighth different player to score in the half and at 7:58, Tulane had built their lead to 30-16 thanks to a 68.8 shooting percentage.
However, the offense slightly cooled as the Wave scored just six more points over the final eight and a half minutes as SMU cut the deficit to 36-28 heading into the locker rooms at halftime.
After trading baskets to move the score to 38-31 to start the second half, Kolby Morgan produced nine of the team's next 11 points, resulting in a 49-38 lead. Then after an Ebomwonyi three-pointer, it was Courtnie Latham's turn, recording nine straight points for the Green Wave, resulting in a 61-48 lead.
Continuing to receive contributions up and down the roster, Leslie Vorpahl, Danielle Blagg, Ebomwonyi, Kaplan and Dale all added points to help close out the 84-60 win, marking the Wave's second highest points total on the year.
The Green finished with a season best .574 shooting percentage, connecting on 8-of-18 from beyond the arc. The Wave also tied their season high in made free throws with 22, converting 78.6 percent from the charity stripe.
Morgan recorded her 15th double-digit scoring performance on the season, connecting on 5-of-8 from the floor. The New Orleans native, who ranks second in the conference in steals, continued her defensive prowess tonight with a team high of four.
Dale followed right behind with 12 points, including a 6-for-8 day from the free throw line. The senior grabbed a team high six rebounds and tied her career high of four assists. Finally, Chinwe Duru and Courtnie Latham rounded out the players in double figures, each contributing 11 points tonight.
Up next, the Green Wave return to the friendly confines of Devlin Fieldhouse in New Orleans for two straight home games. First up is Temple on Saturday, Feb. 7, at 11 a.m. CT, followed by UCF on Tuesday, Feb. 10, at 7 p.m.
For single game tickets, starting as low as $5, please contact Athletic Ticket Sales & Service at (504) 861-WAVE or online at www.TulaneGreenWave.com.
