Jan. 25, 2003

Final Stats

NEW ORLEANS, La. - Tulane University earned its first Conference USA victory of the year, defeating first-place UAB, 75-72, on Saturday afternoon at Fogelman Arena.

Tulane (8-10, 1-4 C-USA) fought off repeated charges by UAB (11-5, 3-2), but never trailed in the game. The Green Wave connected on 15-of-21 free throws in the second half, including 14 of its last 16 efforts from the stripe.

The Wave was led by senior Brandon Brown, who tallied 16 points, eight rebounds and three blocked shots. Junior Wayne Tinsley added a season-high 15 points on perfect 7-of-7 shooting while collecting five rebounds and five assists. Junior Ivan Pjevcevic, making his first career start, responded with 12 points and a career-best 12 rebounds, the first double-double of his career.

"It is definitely a win we needed," Tulane coach Shawn Finney said. "We were looking for confidence in league play. Down the stretch, we really gutted it out."

The Blazers used a 9-0 run at the end of the first half and beginning of the second to pull within one at 37-36 with 17:27 to go. However, Tinsley connected on one-of-two free throws and Tulane worked the ball to Brown inside and the 6-8 big man responded, scoring eight straight points to make it 46-36 with 14:08 remaining.

"They play a style of basketball that you can not simulate in practice," Finney said. "They'll trap you at any moment and you have to play with poise, play smart, and move the basketball. We did that."

UAB battled back once again, as Jeffrey Collins connected on a pair of three-pointers to key a 10-2 run, making it 50-49 with 9:44 to go. This time the Wave answered with Nick Sinville, who had missed the entire TCU game and sat out the first half due to illness. The senior connected on all six of his free throw attempts over the next three minutes to key a 10-5 Wave rally, making it 60-54 with 6:52 on the clock.

The Blazers were not done, however, as they scored six straight points to tie it up at 62 with 4:24 remaining on a Morris Finley jumper. After trading baskets, the Wave back on top with a pair of Brandon Spann free throws and a missed shot by Chris Bush was rebounded by Brown, leading to a Tinsley layup for a four-point edge.

UAB hit one of two free throws making it 68-65 with 2:35 to go. However, back-to-back misses by the Wave were offset by a Blazer turnover and Marsh found Spann open for a three at the top of the key. The senior canned the big bucket, making it 71-65 with 1:12 to go.

"At the end we had to find a way to win," Finney said. "It was a gut-check. That tells us a lot about ourselves. We need to find ways to win."

Four free throws from Marcus Kinzer in the final minute sealed the victory.

Tulane returns to action next Saturday with another afternoon home game, hosting East Carolina at 2 p.m. at Fogelman Arena. Tickets are available by calling 504-861-WAVE. It will be the first meeting between the two teams in history.