.webp "Tulsa women's team faces off against UAB in a fun matchup at home on Wednesday.")
In simpler terms, there are three main things to know about the recent Tulsa basketball game. First, Tulsa lost a game they really needed to win to stay in the running for the AAC lead. This loss was especially painful because it was against a team that was in last place. Second, Tulsa is usually good at winning close games, but this time they couldn’t pull it off, and Wichita State ended up winning. Finally, because of this loss, Tulsa is now in fifth place in the AAC standings, behind North Texas, Temple, UAB, and Rice.
Rough road:
Tulsa University’s basketball coach, Angie Nelp, had dubbed her team “road warriors” earlier in the season, but unfortunately, the Hurricane has hit a rough patch, losing three consecutive games away from the Reynolds Center.
Reflecting on the recent loss, Nelp remarked, “There were various factors at play in this game.” She highlighted the team’s struggles, particularly in the third quarter, where they conceded numerous offensive rebounds. Nelp emphasized the importance of rebounding and defending the paint, which were identified as key aspects of the game plan. Additionally, turnovers plagued the team’s performance, contributing to their downfall. Despite the disappointing outcome, Nelp remained optimistic about the team’s growth and learning from the experience.
She stated, “We’re committed to learning and growing as a team throughout the season. Today’s loss was a tough pill to swallow, but it’s part of our journey. We’ll analyze the game film, extract valuable lessons, and come back stronger. We need to show more resilience, especially on the road.”
In addition to the team’s struggles on the court, free throws proved to be another Achilles’ heel for Tulsa. While Wichita State capitalized on 20 out of 34 attempts, Tulsa only managed to convert 4 out of 8 free throws, further compounding their woes.
The road ahead may be challenging, but with determination and a willingness to learn from setbacks, Tulsa University’s basketball team remains poised to bounce back stronger than ever.
What is the milestone for the duo from Tulsa University?
Delanie Crawford and Temira Poindexter have achieved a significant milestone, becoming only the second pair of Tulsa juniors to each score 1,000 points in the same season since Kelsee Grovey and Ashley Clark accomplished it in 2014–15. Crawford reached this milestone on Saturday by scoring 29 points.
Coach Nelp expressed her excitement about Crawford’s achievement, stating, “It’s well deserved. She contributes immensely to the team and has shouldered a significant offensive load this year. I’m thrilled for her and for our team. Individual awards are always special, and while we would have preferred to celebrate them alongside a win, the milestone itself is not diminished. Despite the loss, a huge congratulations to her.”
This accomplishment highlights the talent and dedication of Crawford and Poindexter, adding another chapter to Tulsa University’s basketball legacy.
What is involved in scouting the opponents?
UAB: recently broke a two-game losing streak with an impressive 87-74 victory over Rice last Saturday. Mia Moore leads the Blazers with an average of 15.8 points and 9.2 rebounds per game, while Denim DeShields contributes 12.3 points on average. Notably, DeShields hails from a talented athletic family, with her father, Delino, having played 13 seasons in Major League Baseball, her brother, Delino Jr., being a former outfielder for the Texas Rangers, and her sister, Diamond, currently playing for the Phoenix Mercury in the WNBA.
Coach Nelp offered insights on the upcoming matchup, stating, “Both teams play fast, space the floor, and like to shoot the 3. It’s going to be a fun game with both teams enjoying a high pace and strong shooting abilities.”
On the other hand, South Florida boasts top scorers Romi Levy, averaging 14.3 points, and Vittoria Blasigh, averaging 13.8 points. Tulsa faced South Florida previously, suffering a 68-52 defeat on January 10th.
