Feb. 21, 2002

NEW ORLEANS, La. - - The Tulane women's basketball team closes out the regular season this weekend, as the Green Wave play host to Conference USA rivals Charlotte and East Carolina at Fogelman Arena. The Wave will meet Charlotte on Friday, with tip-off scheduled for 7 p.m., before facing East Carolina on Sunday afternoon.

Tulane enters the weekend looking to improve upon its current two-game winning streak. The Wave have also won three of their last four, including victories over defending C-USA champion Louisville and then-No. 24 TCU, to stand at 18-9 overall and 6-6 in league play.

WIth a pair of wins over the weekend, Tulane can record its seventh straight 20-win season. However, in order to get win No. 19, the Green Wave must defeat a Charlotte team that features a familiar face on the bench. Charlotte head coach Katie Meier served as an assistant coach under head coach Lisa Stockton for seven seasons at Tulane before leaving last spring to take over the reigns of the 49er program. In her first season at Charlotte, Meier has led the team to its highest win total since the 1992-93 season.

Charlotte is currently a game ahead of Tulane in the Conference USA standings, sitting at 15-10 overall and 7-5 in league action. The Green Wave do have history on their side, as Tulane holds a 13-5 edge in the all-time series, including wins in the last 11 contests between the two schools.

"This should be an exciting game for several reasons," Tulane head coach Lisa Stockton said. "Obviously having Katie come back is very special, but this is a match-up between two very good teams that are trying to determine their seedings for the Conference USA Tournament."

Friday's game will also feature a pre-game ceremony honoring senior Sarah Goree, who last week became just the 14th player in Tulane women's basketball history to score 1,000 career points. She will be presented with a game ball by Wave head coach Lisa Stockton.

Following Friday's game, Tulane will close out the regular season on Sunday against Conference USA newcomer East Carolina. Tip-off is scheduled for 2 p.m. at Fogelman Arena.