Junior guard Rowan Brumbaugh led all scorers with 27 points on 8-of-13 shooting from the field including the game winning bucket. photo by Altonita Washington
by Don Mooney
MEMPHIS, Tenn. – In a tense and action-packed battle in the FedEx Forum Rowan Brumbaugh delivered the game-winner with 6.1 seconds remaining for Tulane men’s basketball (13–9, 4–5) to defeat Memphis (10-11, 5-4) 78-76 on Sunday afternoon. Brumbaugh broke a 76-76 tie by driving the length of the floor and dropping in a right-handed layup to secure the Green Wave’s fourth true road victory of the season.
photo by Altonita Washington
With the win, the Wave snapped a five-game losing skid that stretched back to January 14 against UAB. The victory also ended a three-game losing streak against the Tigers for Tulane earning the team’s first win against Memphis since an 81-79 victory at home on January 21, 2024. The Green Wave earned its fifth win on the road against the Tigers in program history and its second under Head Coach Ron Hunter.
Brumbaugh and Asher Woods led the offensive attack for Tulane as a trio finished with double figures in scoring. The duo combined for 46 of the Wave’s 78 points and knocked down seven of the team’s 10 three-pointers. Brumbaugh led all scorers with 27 points on 8-of-13 shooting from the field including three makes from beyond the arc. He also posted three rebounds, two assists, and one steal.
photo by Altonita Washington
Memphis spent much of the afternoon playing from behind, trailing for more than 35 minutes, but found life late. Dug McDaniel knotted the score at 76-76 on a driving jumper with 14 seconds remaining, giving the Tigers a chance to steal the game after chipping away throughout the second half. Tulane answered on the other end, however, converting the go-ahead layup with six seconds left and Memphis couldn’t get a final look before time expired.
Offensively, the Tigers leaned heavily on the free-throw line to stay within reach. Memphis made 32 of its 38 attempts at the stripe, offsetting a cold shooting day from the floor (20-of-56) and beyond the arc (4-of-20). Aaron Bradshaw was steady inside, finishing with 12 points and nine rebounds before fouling out, while McDaniel added 13 points and four assists. Julius Thedford chipped in 12 and Quante Berry scored 11.
Tyler Ringgold was the third player in double digits for the Green Wave finishing with 12 points to go with three rebounds. He also added a career-high four steals – including the final takeaway on the final Memphis possession to seal the game. Tulane got out to a strong start in the opening frame building a nine-point advantage (15-6) in the first six-plus minutes of action. The Wave eventually extended its lead to double figures against the Tigers before reaching its largest advantage of the day 31-16 with 6:16 to play in the first half.
photo by Altonita Washington
After the Green Wave built its 15-point advantage, Memphis began to chip away from the charity stripe. The Tigers cut the Tulane lead down to six momentarily, but Brumbaugh had the final say in the half sinking a pair of free throws to put the Wave up 39-31 at the break.
Tulane continued to maintain the lead over the Tigers through the first several minutes of the second half despite a strong push from Memphis. With 13:13 remaining in the game the Green Wave faced its first deficit of the day at 52-53. However, the Wave quickly answered with a 13-6 run to pull in front 65-58 with eight minutes to play.
photo by Altonita Washington
Across the final eight minutes of competition Memphis did not back down against the Green Wave. A quick 5-0 run by the Tigers had Tulane facing just its second deficit of the contest at 71-73 with just 2:36 on the clock.
photo by Altonita Washington
Nearly one minute later Brumbaugh tied the game at 73-73 with a pair of free throws. After getting a defensive stop on the other end of the floor Percy Daniels pulled down a crucial offensive rebound and converted an and-one to put the Wave ahead 76-73 with 36 seconds remaining.
photo by Altonita Washington
Once again Memphis had an answer tying the game at 76-76 with 14 second to play. Tulane quickly inbounded the ball to Brumbaugh who went the length of the floor to hit the game-winning layup with six seconds left. The Green Wave defense stepped up one final time as Ringgold swiped his fourth steal to secure the 78-76 victory for Tulane.