Tulane's Comeback Bid Falls Short Against Charlotte

Saturday, January 27

NEW ORLEANS

3 p.m.

Tulane University

12-8,3-5AAC

Charlotte

13-7,7-1AAC

Charlotte

Tulane

Tulane's Comeback Bid Falls Short Against Charlotte

Jan 27, 2024 | Men's Basketball

Box Score

NEW ORLEANS – Tulane University men's basketball (12-8, 3-5) has dropped back-to-back games for just the second time this season after falling to Charlotte (13-7, 7-1) 75-71 at home on Saturday afternoon. After trailing by double figures, the Green Wave battled in the second half to pull within two, but ultimately was unable to get over the hump against the 49ers.

The charity stripe proved to be a difference in the contest as Charlotte shot 23-of-28 from the line compared to a 9-of-14 day for Tulane. The Wave was able to fight back into the game by attacking the paint outscoring the 49ers 42-28 around the rim.

Kevin Cross led four players for the Green Wave with double digits in scoring tallying 16 points to go with five assists and four rebounds. Off the bench Tre' Williams had his best scoring performance at Tulane finishing with 15 points while adding five boards and three assists.

The only other players in double figures for the Wave were Jaylen Forbes and Sion James with 11 points each. Forbes led the team with three made three-pointers and three steals while James had a team-high eight rebounds and two blocks.

Leading the way for Charlotte was Igor Milicic with 22 points and 13 rebounds to match his career best in both categories.

Tulane faced an early deficit as the 49ers jumped out to a 10-point lead in the first four minutes of the contest. The Wave began trading baskets with Charlotte over the next several minutes without pulling closer than seven points.

After Charlotte managed to push its advantage out to 11 points, Tulane battled to cut it to 37-31 with 19 seconds left in the first half. However, the 49ers were bailed out on the final possession of the half by a deep three-pointer at the buzzer that put the Green Wave down 40-31 at the break.

In the opening minutes of the second half Tulane quickly cut the deficit to four points, but once again Charlotte had an answer to keep the Wave from pulling any closer. The lead stretched back out to 10 points for the 49ers with 14:13 on the clock before the teams went back-and-forth over the next several minutes.

The Green Wave pulled within four points multiple times in the final 10 minutes of the game and rode a 9-5 scoring run sparked by Cross and Williams to cut the deficit to 69-67 with 2:25 to play. Unfortunately, Tulane was unable to tie or take the lead in the closing moments ultimately falling 75-71.

Up next, the Green Wave travels to Dallas to face SMU on Thursday, February 1. Tipoff between Tulane and the Mustangs is scheduled for 6 p.m. on ESPN2.

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