Tulane University secured a thrilling 73-68 victory against the University of Alabama-Birmingham (UAB) on Saturday at Devlin Fieldhouse. The game, part of the American Athletic Conference, marked Tulane’s second consecutive win of the season, improving their record to 8-10 overall and 3-3 within the conference. UAB, on the other hand, faced its sixth consecutive loss, dropping to 7-11 overall and 0-6 in the conference.
Tulane’s Late Surge
The Green Wave struggled with a scoring drought as the game approached its final moments. A key defensive play by Kanija Daniel, who blocked a UAB shot, paved the way for freshman guard Mecailin Marshall’s critical 3-pointer with just 50.7 seconds left on the clock. This shot gave Tulane a narrow 69-68 lead. Dyllan Hanna, who contributed significantly with 12 points and a game-high 10 rebounds, emphasized the importance of Daniel’s block and Marshall’s timely shot.
Game Highlights
- Tulane trailed 40-38 at halftime, with UAB showcasing strong 3-point shooting.
- Five Tulane players finished in double figures, led by Amira Mabry with 13 points.
- Jayda Brown added 11 points, while Daniel and Shiloh Kimpson masing 10 points each.
- The Green Wave dominated the rebounding battle 42-30.
- Tulane gained advantages in the paint (36-22) and second-chance points (17-4).
The game featured back-and-forth scoring, with Tulane taking a brief lead when Kendall Sneed drove to the basket to make it 64-63 at 5:26 left in the fourth quarter. Despite the scoring drought, Hanna managed to cut the deficit to 68-66 by making two free throws with 1:22 remaining. After Marshall’s 3-pointer, two free throws by Sneed secured the victory for Tulane.
UAB’s Challenge
UAB had a strong first half, led by guard Cali Smallwood, who scored 17 points but struggled in the second half without scoring. Teammate Sofia Munoz contributed 14 points, but the team could not maintain the momentum as Tulane tightened its defense.
Upcoming Matches
Tulane’s next challenge is a road game against Rice on January 24, followed by a matchup at Memphis on January 27. The Green Wave will return home to face Temple at Devlin Fieldhouse on January 31. Maintaining their recent form will be crucial for Tulane as they continue their season.
