Green Wave women suffer first conference loss, dropping 63-56 decision at USF

TAMPA, Fla. – The Tulane University women’s basketball team fell at USF, 63-56, in the Yuengling Center.

Tulane (11-9, 6-1) and USF (12-8, 4-2) were even from the floor with both shooting 37.7 percent. The Green Wave took a slight edge from behind the arc at.429-.417, but the Bulls made 10 and the Wave sank six. The Olive and Blue logged 33 rebounds, seven assists and 17 bench points. Juniors Krystal Freeman and Arsula Clark led the way for Tulane with 13 points apiece. Freeman added nine rebounds, while Clark snagged seven boards. Sophomore Dynah Jones chipped in 12 points and four rebounds.

“I thought it was a really hard fought game,” Green Wave head coach Lisa Stockton said. “It really came down to who made the most threes in that one. That’s probably the biggest thing statistically. We had a shot to tie it at the end and missed it then had to pick up and start fouling. They’re just a team that is very difficult to foul because they can shoot free throws.”

Both teams traded 5-0 runs to start the second half then USF outscored Tulane 11-5 to close the third and take a 45-37 lead into the fourth.

After trading baskets to open the fourth quarter, USF went on a 6-0 run to take a 53-42 lead with 5:38 left in the game. Tulane responded with a 9-0 run to cut the USF lead to 53-51 with 3:55 to play. After USF stretched the lead to 58-51 with 3:10 left, the Wave scored five in a row to cut the score to 58-56. The run was powered by a layup from Clark and a three from freshman Irina Parau.

The Green Wave had the ball with a chance to tie with 40 seconds remaining but were unable to convert. The Bulls made five free throws to close the game and set the final score at 63-56.

Both teams were even in second chance points (10-10) and points in the paint (16-16).

Tulane jumped out to an 11-5 lead in the first, but USF came back to cut the score to 11-10 with two minutes left. The Green Wave took a 16-12 lead into the second quarter.

The Bulls opened the second quarter with an 8-2 run, but the Olive and Blue responded with a 6-0 run of their own. The Bulls finished the half on a 7-1 run to take a 27-25 lead into halftime.

In the first half, Tulane outshot USF .375-.355 from the floor and .429-.385 from three. The Green Wave logged 17 rebounds and four assists in the first two quarters. Jones and Clark led the way with five points apiece in the opening half.

Up next, the Green Wave will be back in action on Wednesday, Jan. 29, as they travel to Tulsa. Tip-off is set for 7 p.m.