Dec. 29, 2006

Box Score |  Daley Jersey Retirement 
Tournament Central

NEW ORLEANS - Junior forward Alendra Brown set a season-high in points for the second-straight game, scoring 14 points as the Tulane women's basketball team cruised to a 78-44 win over Fordham Friday at the Tulane DoubleTree Classic. Tulane advances to face Texas-Arlington in Saturday's Championship Game.

On a night when Tulane retired the jersey of all-time leading scorer Grace Daley, the Green Wave put up over 75 points for the seventh time this season, as every player who participated for Tulane scored.

With the win, Tulane improves to 10-2 on the season, a perfect 10-0 versus unranked teams. The Green Wave has won five in a row and eight of nine. It was the 250th win at Tulane for coach Lisa Stockton, who's in her 13th season at the helm of the Wave.

Freshman guard Chassity Brown chipped in a career- high nine points, seven coming the in the first half. Sophomore forward Kendra Barnes added 10 points and four rebounds. Sophomore guard Sasha Staidum recorded a season-high six points to go with six boards.

Tulane forced 26 turnovers by the Rams, turning those miscues into 35 points, while holding Fordham to just eight points of Tulane's mere eight turnovers. The Green Wave also owned a 48-22 edge in points in the paint.

Junior forward Dominique Philpots turned in a five point, nine rebound performance to lead Tulane on the glass. Sophomore guard Megan Valicevic added eight points and

Tulane's starters had most the second half off, senior guard D'Aundra Henry added four steals in just 21 minutes of work, while senior guard Jami Montagnino added nine points in 17 minutes and sophomore guard Ashley Langford dished out six assists in 17 minutes.

Tulane jumped out to a 12-5 lead following a three from D'Aundra Henry. After a bucket by the Rams, Tulane embarked on a 10-2 run over 4:34 to blow the game open.

The Green Wave took a 45-21 lead into the break as the Green Wave forced 18 first-half turnovers. Alendra Brown led Tulane at intermission with 12 points. Henry recorded four steals before the break as Tulane turned the 18 Fordham miscues into 27 points.

In the second half, Tulane led by no less than 21, stretching the lead to as many as 36 in the waning seconds.

Lisa Carrol and Gina Giambanco each scored 12 points for Fordham (2-9).

But the loudest ovation of the night came for Daley, who played for Tulane from 1996-2000. The three-time All-American was honored with a halftime ceremony as her number four jersey was unveiled along the east end of Fogelman Arena, between Tulane's nine NCAA Tournament banners, banners for six Conference USA Championships and the number 10 worn by Tulane standout Stacey Gaudet - who was in attendance and introduced to the crowd. Tulane also displayed a new banner featuring her number 10.

"Amazing Grace" finished her Tulane career with 2,249 points and ranks among the top 10 in Tulane history in 10 statistical categories.

The Tulane players warmed up in green commemorative t-shirts - which were also handed out to Tulane fans - that featured "Daley 4" on the back, and an "Amazing Grace" logo on the front.

Texas Arlington 66, Ole Miss 55
Earlier in the day, Texas-Arlington topped Ole Miss, 66-55, behind a 19-point, 12-rebound effort from Tiffeny Riles. Maryann Abanobi added 14 points for the Mavs, while Ashley Bobb chipped in nine points, 11 rebounds and six assists.

The Mavericks (5-7) never trailed in the game, forcing Ole Miss into 29 turnovers, including one on each of the first three Ole Miss possessions. UTA held the Rebels to 0-for-3 from behind the three-point line. UTA also owned a 43-31 edge on the glass.

Jada Mincy recorded a double-double for Ole Miss (9-4), with 12 points and 11 rebounds, Armintie Price paced the Rebels with 20 points.