Nov. 17, 2008
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NEW ORLEANS - The Green Wave women's basketball team will travel to Richmond, Va. to face VCU on Friday in the consolation round of the Preseason WNIT. Tulane, 1-1 on the season, won its first-round game before falling in the second round Sunday to No. 17 Arizona State.
The Rams of Virginia Commonwealth University won its first round game over Liberty, 59-57, before falling in the second round to No. 5 North Carolina.
Tulane's leading scorer through two games is junior Indira Kaljo. Upon her arrival via transfer from Ventura College in California, Kaljo has connected on six of nine three-point attempts, and eight of 16 field goal tries for an average of 11.5 points per game.
The Preseason WNIT tournament structure guaranteed at least three games per team, with the finalists competing in a fourth game. All consolation games were assigned based on travel, geography, and arena availability factors, as well as seeding guidelines. The consolation round serves to guarantee at least three games and not determine an order of finish.
Tulane has been led by Indira Kaljo's 11.5 points per game. The junior guard has connected on six-of-nine from three-point range, and is shooting .500 from the field (8-for-16). Sophomore Roshaunda Barnes has emerged on the scene for the Wave, topping her 2007-08 totals in points, rebounds, field goals and steals in just two games. The 5-5 guard grabbed seven rebounds in Tulane's win over Illinois State.
Another newcomer making an impact has been freshman forward Brett Benzio, who leads Tulane in rebounding at 10.0 boards per game. She hauled in 12 in her debut against Illinois State, and added eight more against the Sun Devils.
Tulane is 5-5 all-time versus VCU, with the first nine match-ups coming when both schools belonged to the Metro Conference. Following the 1995 season, when Tulane and VCU split two meetings, the Wave joined C-USA with VCU joining the Colonial. The 10th, and most recent meeting, came November 28, 1998 in Richmond, a 52-51 Tulane victory. Tulane has won four of the last five meetings.
Following Friday's contest, Tulane is at LSU on Monday at 7 p.m. in Baton Rouge.
Tulane in the Preseason WNIT
The Green Wave are finishing their third appearance in the Preseason WNIT. Tulane is 2-3 all-time in the tournament, and 0-3 on the road. Tulane lost at Louisiana Tech in the first round of the 1996 tournament. In 2000, the Wave defeated Grambling at home before falling in the second round at Texas.
Well, How Did We Get Here?
Tulane recieved double-digit scoring from five players in a 75-62 first round win over Illinois State. Ashley Langford paced Tulane with 18 points, with Megan Valicevic adding 12. In the second round, No. 17 Arizona State shot lights out (68%) in the first half. Tulane cut the margin to 13 in the second half before fading, 86-53.
Getting Defensive
Tulane held Illinois State Redbirds to 62 points, over 14 points below their average last season (76.9). The Green Wave ranked third in C-USA last season in scoring defense, with 63.4 points against per contest. In their exhibition contest, the Wave held the Houston Jaguars to just a 16.7 field goal percentage for the game (9-of-54), and 10.7% in the second half (3-of-28).
Uncommon Result
Tulane's 33-point loss to Arizona State was just the fourth time since 1991 that Tulane suffered a defeat by 33 or more.
All About This Benzio, Baby
`Diaper Dandy' Brett Benzio was no baby in the paint as the 6-3 forward hauled in a game-high 12 rebounds in her debut over Illinois State. She also blocked two shots and added eight points on three-of-four shooting with a pair of free throws. Against Arizona State, she hauled in eight boards to lead Tulane.
Rebounding Ro'
While Tulane's tallest player (the 6-3 Brett Benzio) led Tulane in rebounding vs Illinois State, the Wave's second-most rebounds were grabbed by its shortest player: the 5-5 Roshaunda Barnes. Barnes picked up seven boards to go with six points and five assists.
Mo' Experience, Mo Points for Ro'
In two games, Roshaunda Barnes has passed her totals for all of last season in points (15 this year, 7 all of last). Her first game of 2008-09 brought her to within one of her 2007-08 totals in points and rebounds (seven vs Illinois State). Barnes' six points in the season opener were one shy of the seven points she totalled all of last season as a freshman.
Out Shoot `Em
Tulane is 11-0 dating back to last season when connecting at a higher field goal percentage than its opponent, and 5-15 when posting a lower one (1-0 when same). The Green Wave outshot Illinois State 41%-38%, but ASU owned a 55%-33% edge.
The Bench Hits Back
Instead of hitting the bench, Tulane's bench hit Illinois State up for 24 of Tulane's 75 points. Green Wave subs also grabbed 22 rebounds, including 12 by Brett Benzio and 7 by Roshaunda Barnes.
Ranked Rut
The Green Wave have lost 13 consecutive games to ranked teams dating back to a December 29, 2002 win over No. 20 Boston College, 69-50, at Fogelman Arena.
Calm at the Line
The Green Wave was 20-of-30 from the free throw line vs ISU, but hit five of their last six to seal the win. Tulane's .733 free throw percentage last season (430-587), was the second-best team free throw percentage in program history, behind only the 2005-06 team (.742). Ashley Langford is second all-time at Tulane in free throw percentage at .853 (295-346).
Kal-iente!
Junior transfer Indira Kaljo has drained six of her nine three-point attempts, and leads Tulane in scoring with 11.5 PPG.
Pre-Season Prognostication
The Green Wave, 16-14 last season, were picked fifth in Conference USA in the preseason poll of the C-USA coaches.
Next Up: Tulane at LSU
Tulane takes on LSU in Baton Rouge on Tuesday, at 7 p.m.
