Men’s Basketball Takes Down Southern, 84-75

Wednesday, December 7

Avron B. Fogelman Arena in the Devlin Fieldhouse

7 p.m. CT

Tulane University

2-7

Southern

3-4

Southern

Tulane

Photo by: Parker Waters

Men’s Basketball Takes Down Southern, 84-75

Dec 7, 2016 | Men's Basketball

Box Score Box Score (PDF)

NEW ORLEANS – Three Green Wave players achieved career-high scoring performances, as Tulane shot 50 percent from the floor and snapped a six-game skid with an 84-75 home win over Southern on Wednesday evening at Avron B. Fogelman Arena in the Devlin Fieldhouse.

Four players scored in double-figures, led by Cameron Reynolds' personal-best 24 points on 10-for-18 shooting to go with seven rebounds. Melvin Frazier added 15 points, four boards and three assists, while Ray Ona Embo scored a career-high 13 points to go with a game-high six helpers. Blake Paul scored a 12 points on 5-for-6 shooting, setting an individual standard in both categories. Malik Morgan chipped in nine points and led all players with a career-high 11 rebounds.

Southern placed four scorers in double digits, as Chris Thomas and Jared Sam scored 19 points, respectively. Trelun Banks had 17 points, six rebounds and six assists.

"Obviously a really good game, from our standpoint, of what we've been trying to preach all year long: defend and rebound," head coach Mike Dunleavy, Sr. said. "We were plus-12 on the boards, we did a great job defensively - particularly (Melvin) Frazier on (Shawn) Prudhomme. Our other guys did a nice job defensively, locking guys down, and contesting shots."

Tulane (2-7) raced out to a quick start from the opening tip with 10-straight points, highlighted by a fast-break dunk and three-point play by Reynolds within the first four minutes of action.

Ball movement was key early on for the Green Wave, but its 10-point lead did not last long as Southern (3-4) countered to tie the game at 18 on a layup by Jared Sam at the 9:45 mark. The Jaguars claimed their first lead of the night, 26-25, on a jumper by Brendon Ganaway with 4:41 remaining in the first half, before Reynolds sunk his sixth field goal and second three-pointer of the half with to bring his points total to 15 with 2:51 to go. Both sides exchanged free throws over the final two-plus minutes into halftime where the Wave took a 35-34 edge into the intermission.

Tulane shot 14-for-33 (.424) overall, 3-for-11 (.273) from three-point range and 4-for-9 (.444) at the free throw line in the first half, while Southern went 10-for-26 (.386) from the field, missed all six attempts beyond the arc and shot 14-for-18 (.778) at the foul stripe.

The Green Wave picked up the pace with the start of the second half, the Jaguars kept it close, 42-41, just over three minutes into the period. From there, Tulane broke out on an 8-0 run to take 50-41 lead with 15:08 remaining and was able to increase the margin back to double digits, 55-45, at the 13:39 mark.

Southern was able to get back within six points on a handful of occasions, but could draw no closer for the rest of the night, as the Green Wave continued to push the ball inside and finish off the nine-point home victory.

Tulane finished the night 33-for-66 (.500) from the field, 5-for-20 (.250) beyond the arc and 13-for-21 (.619) at the free throw line. Southern shot 24-for-56 (.429) overall, 2-for-14 (.143) from deep and 25-for-31 (.806) at the charity stripe.

The Green Wave outscored the Jaguars, 46-26, in the paint, 11-4 off turnovers, 12-4 on second-chance baskets and 13-4 on the fast break. Southern owned a 27-15 advantage in bench points.

Tulane will play its final non-conference road game on Saturday, Dec. 10 when it travels to Hattiesburg, Miss., to take on Southern Miss. Opening tip-off is scheduled for 4:30 p.m. at Reed Green Coliseum.

Season and single-game tickets can be purchased by clicking here to purchase, calling 504-861-WAVE (9283) or visiting the Tulane Ticket Office, located on the first floor of the James W. Wilson, Jr. Center, between the hours of 8:30 a.m. and 5 p.m.

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