Tulane falls at No.1 Houston, 89-59

HOUSTON – Tulane men’s basketball (17-8, 10-4) fell to No.1 Houston (26-2, 14-1) 89-59 on Wednesday night inside the Fretitta Center.

Jalen Cook led the Green Wave with 23 points and five rebounds. Jaylen Forbes was the only other member to score in the double figures with 14 points.

The Wave shot just 38% from the field compared to the Cougars’ 47%. Tulane also struggled from the free throw line, shooting an uncharacteristic 67%.

Tulane was able to keep it close in the opening minutes of the game, down just 13-12 thanks to three free throws from Forbes. The Wave then hit a four-minute drought, letting Houston extend the lead by nine.

Houston jumped ahead by as much as 19 in the first half, but Tulane would cut the lead to 14 heading into the locker room at the half 40-26.

The Cougars quickly extended their lead coming out of the locker room, leaving the Wave with no room to breathe. Tulane would get only as close as 16 in the half.

Tulane returns home to face Wichita State on Sunday at 2 p.m. in Avron B. Fogelman Arena in the Devlin Fieldhouse.