Tulane University
12-7, 3-3
UConn
18-0, 6-0
Women’s Hoops Falls at No. 1 UConn, 100-56
Jan 22, 2017 | Women's Basketball
Kolby Morgan led with 22 points
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STORRS, Conn. – The (-/RV) Tulane women's basketball team (12-7, 3-3) battled toe-to-toe in the early goings against No. 1 UConn, (18-0, 6-0), remaining within single digits for the first 14 minutes and had it within 11 points just two minutes before the half. Yet, a strong offensive showing from the Huskies (56.0 percent shooting) pushed the home team ahead on Sunday to the final score of 100-56, as UConn won their 93rd straight match.
Junior Kolby Morgan was the lone Green Wave in double figures with 22 points on 9-of-18 shooting from the floor, marking Morgan's fourth straight game with 20+ points.
"I was really excited to see Kolby step up and answer this challenge today. I thought she played a tremendous game," Tulane head coach Lisa Stockton stated. "Kolby has grown so much since we played here last year and I think you can see that."
Tulane held UConn's leading scorer Katie Lou Samuelson scoreless in the opening period, as the Wave trailed just 19-12 at the end of the first quarter.
Later at 5:42 in the second, three free-throws courtesy of Courtnie Latham cut the deficit to 31-23. Morgan then took over the offense connecting on back-to-back three-point plays to keep the Wave at striking distance, down 40-29 at the 2:05 mark.
However, Samuelson caught fire in the second period, scoring 18 points in the 10-minute frame to keep UConn out ahead, spearheading a 10-0 run in the final two minutes of the quarter to hand the Huskies a 50-29 lead at the half.
UConn then used that momentum to outscore Tulane 32-14 in the third, ultimately benefitting from 26 total Tulane turnovers which they converted into 31 points. By the final, UConn's Samuelson finished with a game high 32 points on 11-of-18 shooting.
Tulane's 56 points marked their best offensive showing against the top-ranked Huskies while in The American. Furthermore, in the battle of the boards, Tulane was up 19-16 at the half and was only outrebounded by one at the conclusion of the game, 31-30.
"I thought we had moments where we played really well, especially offensively," Stockton added. "I thought we shared the ball pretty well. I'd like to see us defensively hold a little better than what we did."
Up next, the Green Wave return home for one game when they host Tulsa for their 'We Back Pat' game on Wednesday, Jan. 25. Tipoff is slated for 7 p.m. CT on ESPN3.
