TU Women End Losing Streak in Convincing Fashion

Originally Published: Feb 5, 2010 9:34 PM CDT

Corey DeMoss
Oklahoma Sports Staff Writer

NEW ORLEANS – The Tulsa women’s basketball team established momentum early and never looked back on the way to an 80-67 victory over the Tulane Green Wave Friday.

The Golden Hurricane (7-12, 1-7) shot lights out all night, making 55 percent of its shots and 46 percent from 3-point range. Taleya Mayberry led the way with 23 points, while Kara Vaughan and Larrissa Williams each scored 14.

TU gained an early edge thanks to a 14-2 run to take a 10-point lead, and the Golden Hurricane never let Tulane (16-5, 5-3) back in the game. It took a 46-30 lead into halftime, and then extended the lead to as much as 21 points in the second half. The Green Wave managed a couple short runs, but it was never enough to get within striking distance.

Tulsa was dominant in virtually every statistical category, and the only thing that kept the score respectable was Tulane’s ability to get to the free-throw line. The Green Wave attempted 36 free throws and made 26 of them, while TU made just 14.

Danielle Nunn led Tulane with 14 points, and three of her teammates – Roshaunda Barnes, Olivia Grayson and Tiffany Aidoo – added 13 apiece. The Golden Wave made just 33 percent of its shots and went a dismal 3-of-17 from beyond the arc.

The win was the first in conference play for Tulsa and its first overall since Jan. 4. It also ended a three-game winning streak for Tulane and marked the worst loss of the season for the Green Wave.

The TU women will try to build a winning streak when they finish their road trip at 1 p.m. Sunday against UTEP.