Tulane University
20-10, 11-7
Cincinnati
8-21, 4-14
WBB Wraps Regular Season with 70-51 Win vs. Cincinnati
Feb 29, 2016 | Women's Basketball
NEW ORLEANS - The Tulane women's basketball team (20-10, 11-7) wrapped up its regular season on a high note, earning a 70-51 victory over Cincinnati (8-21, 4-14) on Monday night inside Avron B. Fogelman Arena in Devlin Fieldhouse. As a result, the Green Wave completed their seventh straight 20-win season and 15th overall.
Seniors Chinwe Duru and Tierra Jones were honored before tonight's home finale as part of the Senior Day festivities. The duo then went on to post big games for the Green Wave, starting with Jones who recorded her third double-double on the year with 10 points and 11 rebounds. Meanwhile, Duru achieved 16 points on 6-of-7 shooting from the floor to go along with her five rebounds and career-high tying five blocks.
"I thought tonight was a really great team effort, and I thought our seniors really did some special things," Tulane women's basketball head coach Lisa Stockton stated. "This is the senior's fourth 20-win season and I'm proud of them for that."
The Green Wave utilized a strong rebounding performance from Jones in the first quarter (six boards), along with a quick 6-0 run in 73 seconds to garner a 15-9 lead at the conclusion of the opening period. In the second quarter, Tulane recorded a stretch in which they connected on 6-of-8 from the field, including four straight, to push ahead 30-19, eventually taking a 31-21 advantage into the locker-room at half.
In the third quarter, Cincinnati recorded a 7-0 run in the opening minutes, but the Wave countered with an 11-0 run over a three-and-a-half minute stretch, pushing their lead to 16 points at 44-28 with 3:09 left in the period.
The Green Wave's offense then sealed the game in the fourth quarter, posting 22 points to Cincinnati's 13, in which they shot 7-of-13 from the field and 3-of-5 from three-point range. By the time of the final score of 70-57, Tulane had forced 19 Cincinnati turnovers, in which they converted into 24 points. In addition, the Green Wave enjoyed a 44-28 advantage on the boards and outscored the Bearcats 36-12 in the paint.
Sophomore guard Kolby Morgan continued her hot streak, accomplishing her eighth consecutive game with 19+ points, finishing with 22 tonight. Morgan also collected eight rebounds, four assists and three steals. Junior Leslie Vorpahl also reached double figures with 10 points to go with her team leading seven assists.
Up next for the Green Wave is the American Athletic Conference Championships at the Mohegan Sun Arena in Uncasville, Conn. Tulane will be the No. 5 seed in the tournament and has earned a first round bye. They'll match up with No. 4 seeded Memphis on Saturday, March 5, at 11 a.m. CT, on ESPN3.
