WBB to Host No. 1 UConn on Wednesday

This evening the Tulane Women’s Basketball team will play against UConn Huskies here in New Orleans. The game starts at 7PM (CST) and our broadcast will preempt the following daytime programs:

We apologize for the inconvenience, but all book programs missed will be replayed tomorrow at their regular time. Until then, we hope you’ll enjoy cheering on the women’s basketball team. Roll Green Wave!

***

NEW ORLEANS – The Tulane women’s basketball team (15-6, 6-3) welcomes in the No. 1 team in the nation on Wednesday, Feb. 3, when the top-ranked UConn Huskies (20-0, 10-0) arrive in New Orleans for a 7 p.m. CT showdown, airing live on SNY/ESPN3. Tickets are $15 for reserved chair backs and $5 for end zone seating. Students will be admitted for free with a valid Tulane ID and will also receive a free Tulane basketball mug, while supplies last. Lastly, in honor of the Mardi Gras season, there will also be King Cake giveaways. 

TULANE DOUBLE DIP WITH FOOTBALL SIGNING DAY
Wednesday also marks National Signing Day for Tulane Football where they’ll host a party from 5-6:30 p.m. in the Kendall Cram Room, located in the Lavin-Bernick Center on the Tulane campus. The event is free and open to the public with doors opening at 5 p.m. and parking available in the Loyola Garage. Tulane first-year head coach Willie Fritz and his coaching staff will take the podium at 5:15 p.m. to introduce the members of the football class of 2016.

Following the event, fans can make their way over to The Fieldhouse for the Wave’s 7 p.m. tip vs top-ranked UConn. Import to note, for all Tulane Athletics Fund Coach’s Corner members, hospitality will begin at 6:30 p.m. and will be located upstairs in the First NBC Premium Club area where snacks and drinks will be provided pregame and at halftime.

LAST TIME OUT
Down 50-31 to Temple at home on Jan. 26, Tulane rallied with a 17-6 run to cut the deficit to 56-48 to start the fourth quarter, but the Owls then countered with an 11-0 run to extend their lead and eventually claim a 72-54 victory. Temple ultimately took 22 more shots than the Green Wave and enjoyed an 18-8 offensive rebounding differential.

Chinwe Duru led in both scoring (13 points) and rebounding (8) while achieving a career high five blocks for the second time in three games. Freshman Meredith Schulte secured a career high 10 points with a career tying two three-pointers. Lastly, Kolby Morgan registered double-digits with 10 points as well.  

AMERICAN WOMAN
Over the first half of conference play, Leslie Vorpahl’s production has surged, averaging 15.0 ppg, compared to her season average of 12.2. 

Not only that, but during conference play, Vorpahl ranks in the top-12 in seven different statistical categories amongst all league members: 8th in scoring (15.0), 11th in FG% (.462), 1st in assists (5.7), 5th in 3PT FG% (.418), 4th in 3PT FG (2.6), 4th in A/TO ratio (2.1) and 4th in minutes (35.4).

HOME SWEET HOME
Tulane has once again found success in the friendly confines of the fieldhouse, where they are 10-2 this season. At home, the Wave are averaging 71.9 ppg while limiting opposition to 58.1 ppg (+13.8 margin).

Tulane is also shooting 45.8 percent from the floor inside the fieldhouse, while boasting a +2.2 rebounding margin and +2.0 turnover margin.

WINNING THE CLOSE ONES
After their 78-73 win over East Carolina on Jan. 23, Tulane improved to 4-1 in games decided by five points or less and 5-2 in games decided by single digits.

PROTECTING THE LEAD
Tulane has done well this year in protecting their lead in the second half of the contest. For example, the Wave are 12-0 when leading at half and 13-1 when leading heading into the fourth quarter.

SERIES VS UCONN
Tulane’s first year in The American also marked the first time the Wave had ever matched up with the Huskies. UConn claimed the first ever meeting in Storrs, 87-39, before making the trip to New Orleans to earn a 94-47 win vs. the Wave.

In last year’s home finale vs UConn, now junior Courtnie Latham was the lone Green Wave in double figures, tallying 12 points on a 5-for-7 night from the field. Sophomore Kolby Morgan recorded nine points in each of the two games vs UConn.  

SCOUTING THE HUSKIES
No. 1 UConn enters Wednesday’s contest at 20-0 overall, 10-0 in league play and fresh off of their 57th consecutive victory, marking the third longest streak in NCAA history. In fact, UConn has won 104 of its last 105 games. The Huskies boast a +40.5 scoring margin, averaging 89.7 ppg as they shoot 57.6 percent from the floor.

Breanna Stewart leads a trio of Huskies averaging double figures with 19.5 ppg. Stewart also leads in rebounding with 8.3 boards and in total blocks with 63. Meanwhile, Moriah Jefferson averages 13.3 ppg and 5.2 assists, all while shooting 57.6 percent from the field.

THE WRAP-UP
For more information on Wednesday’s game or to purchase tickets, call 504-861-WAVE (9283). Also, be sure to download the Tulane Game Day app, to stay up to date on all things Green Wave, along with following women’s basketball on Twitter: @GreenWaveWBB