No. 1 UConn handles Tulane, 91-47

NEW ORLEANS – No. 1 UConn was too much for the Tulane women’s basketball team to handle as the Huskies earned a 91-47 victory at Avron B. Fogelman Arena in the Devlin Fieldhouse on Wednesday night.

Tulane (12-15, 4-10 American Athletic Conference) did itself few favors, committing 15 turnovers in the game’s first 15 minutes as UConn (27-0, 14-0) built itself a 41-11 lead through those 15 minutes thanks to 21 points off turnovers. UConn used a 17-0 run that spanned the end of the first quarter and start of the second to grow its lead.

The Green Wave was much more disciplined from that point forward, committing only 12 more turnovers in the final 25 minutes, but the damage was already done. UConn would finish with 35 points off Tulane turnovers.

Tulane had spurts of fluid offensive including a 10-7 run to close the first half that saw Tulane turn the ball over only two times in that five-minute span. And to finish out the third quarter, the Green Wave made four consecutive baskets on offense. But every time Tulane went on a run, UConn would answer.

Senior Kolby Morgan led Tulane in scoring with 15 points including six points at the free-throw line. Freshmen Kaila Anderson and Sierra Cheatham had 8 points apiece, and Anderson had a team-high three steals. Tatyana Lofton – in her first career start – led Tulane with six rebounds. Also in her first career start, Maddison Wells had 4 points, an assist and a steal.

UConn ended the night shooting 67 percent from the field (36-54), had 56 points in the paint and outscored Tulane 16-2 on the fast break.

But Tulane was able to capitalize on Huskies mistakes as well. Tulane had eight steals and UConn had 20 turnovers, and the Green Wave turned those turnovers into 17 points. Tulane also had a balanced scoring effort with nine different players recording at least one point.

Tulane closes out its road regular-season schedule on Saturday when it travels to Wichita State. The Shockers and Green Wave will tip off at 2 p.m.