Tulane Women's Basketball Dominates LSU New Orleans for Crosstown Showdown

It took little time for the Tulane Green Wave to put up a big lead on the crosstown LSU New Orleans Privateers, and the home team rolled to a massive 101-61 lead to improve to 2-1 on the year.

Tulane jumped out to an 11-0 lead in the first three minutes of action, pushing out to a 28-8 lead by the end of the frame. It marked the most points scored in an opening quarter by the team this season. The Green Wave kept things rolling into the second quarter, using a 10-0 run midway through the frame to continue to put distance between itself and the Privateers. By the time halftime came around, the home team was holding steady with a 55-21 lead.

LSU New Orleans would come out of the locker room with a newfound energy, cutting its deficit to 18 points with 2:36 left in the third quarter. Tulane would rattle off nine straight points in a little more than a minute to regain some momentum, though the visiting squad did hold the 27-20 points advantage in the quarter.

The Olive Green and Sky Blue ultimately returned to its first-half form in the fourth quarter, using a 13-0 run midway through the frame to put the game away for good. The team led by as many as 45 points with just under three minutes remaining in the game and exited the court with a dominant 40-point victory. 

Five players scored in double figures for Tulane, led by starting forward Nataliyah Gray with 20 points. Ja'Kyah Smith added 17 points and a trio of three-pointers alongside five assists, while Kanija Daniel added 15 points and five rebounds. Edina Strausz had the best all-around performance for the Green Wave with 13 points, eight board, six assists and three steals. Jayda Brown rounded out the double-figure scoring with 13 points of her own. 

10 total players scored for Tulane, and the team shot a scorching 62.7 percent from the floor and dominated with 48 points in the paint. Defensively, the squad forced 19 turnovers for 31 points and added 11 steals and 10 blocks. 

The Green Wave has looked downright dominant in every matchup so far this season, including in a close loss to the Alabama Crimson Tide out of the SEC. The program will look to keep that momentum rolling as it welcomes the McNeese State Cowgirls to Avron B. Fogelman Arena in the Devlin Fieldhouse. Tip-off is set for 6:30 p.m. CT on Monday, November 16th.