Turnovers costly for Tulane in loss at Cincinnati

CINCINNATI, Ohio – The Tulane women’s basketball team struggled to hold onto the ball in the first half and dropped a 83-52 contest against Cincinnati at Saint Ursula Academy on Saturday afternoon.

The Green Wave (12-13, 4-8 American Athletic Conference) committed 21 turnovers in the game – including 15 in the first half – as the Bearcats (15-10, 7-5) put up 23 points off those first-half Tulane turnovers.

The game was close after 10 minutes with Tulane trailing just 16-13, but the second quarter was all Cincinnati. The Bearcats held the Green Wave to a mere 1 of 12 shooting from the field, and 6 of Tulane’s 8 points in the quarter came at the free-throw line. Cincinnati, meanwhile, made 9 of its 16 baskets in the second quarter to jump out to a 40-21 halftime lead.

In the second half, Tulane committed just six turnovers, but Cincinnati made 15 of its 31 shots from the field and all 11 free throws, outscoring Tulane by 6 points each in the third and fourth quarters.

Tulane was led on offense by Meredith Schulte and her 12 points. Kolby Morgan scored 11. Harlyn Wyatt was the team’s leading rebounder with six boards while Caylah Cruickshank recorded five. Kayla Manuirirangi had a team-high four assists.

During the game, Morgan attempted 15 field goals, breaking the Tulane program record for attempted field goals in the process. She now has 1,728 in her career, beating out Stacey Gaudet’s 1,723 attempted field goals.

Tulane stays on the road for its next game, heading to the Volunteer State to take on Memphis at Elma Roane Fieldhouse. That game is set for February 18 at 2 p.m.