Feb. 25, 2005

NEW ORLEANS, La. - In a plot line similar to the one the Tulane women's basketball team faced last season, the Green Wave and Southern Miss meet in the 2004-05 regular-season finale Saturday at 2 p.m. in Fogelman Arena, with a berth to the Conference USA Tournament on the line.

While it may seem a traditional "winner take all scenario," in order for Tulane (10-16, 2-11 C-USA) to advance there is one other variable. Memphis must defeat Saint Louis on Friday in order for the Wave to advance, even with a win over the Golden Eagles. If Tulane and Saint Louis both win, the Billikens would advance via the tie-breaker as SLU won the head-to-head contest.

The game also marks Senior Day, as the Wave will honor Shelly Cayette, Lakethia Hampton, Kinya Lennix, Tymeka Moore and Natalie Walsh in a ceremony following the game. Tulane will also celebrate National Girls and Women in Sport Day, and will honor long-time supporter and wife of former president Dr. Eamon Kelly, Margaret Kelly, at halftime.

"It will certainly be an emotional game with Senior Day and also with the significance of the game." Tulane head coach Lisa Stockton said. "Both of us have quality teams, we just haven't been able to pull off the wins."

Tulane enters the Saturday afternoon game in the midst of a five-game losing skid after Sunday's loss at Louisville, 70-51. Southern Miss brings an overall mark of 9-17, 3-10 in league games and has lost three straight, including last weekend's outings at Louisville and Cincinnati.

Senior forward Hampton leads Tulane in scoring and rebounding, averaging 16.2 points and 7.1 rebounds per contest. Junior guard D'Aundra Henry ranks second on the team in scoring and rebounding with 13.7 points and 4.8 rebounds, and leads the club in assists with 3.8 per game.

The Golden Eagles are led in scoring by freshman forward Shannon Stueber, averaging 15.0 points a game, while sophomore Deondra Carter chips in 11.0 points an outing. Another freshman, Liz Biland, is the team's leading rebounder, pulling down 5.0 a game.

"They turn the ball over a lot, and they will pressure us defensively to do the same so we really have to take care of the ball," Stockton said. "We have to play better defense than we did last time. The team that plays the best defense will probably be the one to win."

Southern Miss won the first meeting between the two teams this season, 80-72, on Feb. 5, in Hattiesburg. The Golden Eagles also hold the series advantage, 29-23, although the Green Wave has won 16 of 21 tilts under Stockton's tutelage.

Tickets will be available at the door or by calling the Tulane Ticket Office at 504-861-WAVE. For fans unable to attend the game, it will be broadcast live on the flagship station of Green Wave women's basketball, WRBH, 88.3 FM.