The Green Wave fought back from a nine-point deficit to force overtime, but the Tigers ultimately claimed the victory with a pair of last-second free throws.
It's safe to say that the Tulane Green Wave has had a sour end to its regular season.
The Green Wave fought back in the final few minutes of action to force overtime against the Memphis Tigers on Sunday before ultimately dropping the contest by a score of 96-95. It marked the fourth-straight loss for the program, though the previous three losses came by roughly 30 points apiece.
Tulane kept pace with Memphis throughout the first half before pulling ahead late, taking a 40-31 lead into the locker room. Despite what should've been a momentum-building break, the Green Wave looked flat to start the second half -- or rather, maybe the Tigers were just that hot. The visiting squad knotted the score at 44 points apiece with a little less than 16 minutes remaining in the half. From there, Memphis began to pour it on.
Tulane trailed 78-69 with 2:27 left in the game, and just as fans were beginning to gather up their belongings to hit the exits, the Uptown boys made some magic happen. The team went on a 10-3 scoring run, and KJ Greene dropped a massive layup in the hoop with 22 seconds left to tie the game at 81.
Overtime produced what was arguably the most heartbreaking loss of the season. After the Green Wave pushed out to a six-point lead, Memphis began to pile on the points with plenty of trips to the free throw line. Rowan Brumbaugh put his team back in front by a sore of 95-94 with 16 seconds left, but another foul with only 2.3 seconds remaining put the Tigers at the charity stripe once again. The team would sink both free throws to claim the win.
95 points scored marked a season-high for the Green Wave, and five players scored in double-figures. Brumbaugh led the team with 31 points and hauled in five rebounds, while Asher Woods did a little bit of everything with 21 points, two rebounds, three assists and a team-high four steals. Tyler Ringgold had 16 points, Curtis Williams Jr. recorded 11 points and 10 rebounds for the double-double and KJ Greene added 10 points off the bench. Percy Daniels earned the start on Senior Day, putting up six points in 34 minutes of action.
Memphis as a whole put up higher shooting-percentages all around, but didn't record as many made shots as Tulane. Rather, the Tigers cashed in at the charity stripe, going 25-of-36 on free-throw attempts. Meanwhile, the Green Wave went 14-for-18 from the stripe.
Additionally, Memphis recorded 33 rebounds and 15 assists to Tulane's 24 rebounds and 14 assists. The Olive Green and Sky Blue was at least able to record 12 steals on the day while turning the ball over just seven times.
Both matchups involving these two teams have been eventful this year... and it's not over yet. The Green Wave will look to tame the Tigers one more time this season, as the programs will battle in the first round of the American Conference Tournament. Ninth-seeded Tulane will take on eighth-seeded Memphis on Wednesday at 6 p.m. in Birmingham.