Tulsa Stumbles in 61-42 Loss to Tulane

Saturday, February 20

New Orleans, La.

1:00 pm

Tulsa

10-17, 7-9

Tulane

19-8, 10-5

Tulsa

Tulane

Tulsa Stumbles in 61-42 Loss to Tulane

2/20/2016 3:08:00 PM | Women's Basketball

Box Score

By: Stephanie Hall

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Jordyn Holmes had a season-best 14 points, while Ashley Clark added 11, but it wasn't enough as Tulsa dropped a 61-42 decision to Tulane on Saturday afternoon at Devlin Fieldhouse in New Orleans, La. The Golden Hurricane fell to 10-17 on the season and 7-9 in the American Athletic Conference, while the Green Wave moved to 19-8 overall and 10-5 in the league.

"At the beginning we hung in there because both teams were shooting poorly, but then we started turning the ball over and they started getting layups in transition, which broke the game open," Head Coach Matilda Mossman said. "The fact that we shot four air balls in the first half effected our mentality to shoot the ball and then we had players that were afraid to shoot. Then when they got the ball to shoot and those players weren't ready. Tulane played hard and with great urgency, and they overpowered us on the boards."

"With all of our players being tentative to shoot the ball, we knew Jordyn would shoot the ball," Mossman said. "She took open shots and did a good job of finishing. I am really proud of her and what she did for our team today."

Kelsee Grovey and Te'era Williams both had five points, while Tyjae' Scales had five rebounds. Erika Wakefield had a game-best four steals and Clark had two blocks.

Tulane came out of the locker room at halftime fired up, shooting 42-percent from the field, but Tulsa was able to match them point-for-point for a 39-27 deficit with 4:34 on the clock in the third quarter. The Green Wave then inched ahead for a 44-29 advantage after 30 minutes.

Tulane expanded their lead in the fourth period, climbing to a game-high 24-point lead three times, before capturing the 19-point win, 61-42.

Tulsa shot 32-percent from the field, including just 19-percent from behind the arc, and 33-percent from the free throw line, while Tulane shot 46-percent from the field, including just 14-percent from three-point range, and 58-percent from the charity stripe.

The Green Wave had a 41-26 lead in rebounds, a 9-7 advantage in assists and a 9-8 lead in steals, while both teams had three blocks. Tulsa had 20 turnovers compared to Tulane's 17.

Kolby Morgan led the Green Wave with 20 points and nine rebounds, while Leslie Vorpahl had 10 points and Harlyn Wyatt added nine points.

Tulsa forced three turnovers and had a 5-2 advantage with 5:40 ticked off the clock in the first frame, but both teams struggled to shoot the ball. The Green Wave took their first lead of the contest, 7-6, with 1:48 on the clock, but a jumper by Wakefield and a free throw by Tulane's Chinwe Duru and the score was tied, 8-all, at the first quarter break. The Hurricane battled back to shoot 30-percent from the field, while the Green Wave shot 20-percent in the first frame.

Te'era Williams tied the score at 12-all with 8:27 on the clock in the second period, but the Green Wave went on a 12-0 run for a 24-12 lead at the 5:36 mark. Tulane was able to maintain their 12-point advantage at the break, 32-20.

Tulsa will return to action in Wednesday, February 24 against USF. Game time is set for 7:00 pm for the final home regular season game at the Donald W. Reynolds Center. Prior to the game