Jan. 4, 2008

Game Notes in PDF Format

HOUSTON - The Tulane women's basketball team will open its defense of the regular season Conference USA championship Friday against Rice. The Owls and Green Wave meet at Sharp Gym on Houston Baptist's campus at 7 p.m.

Tulane, the preseason Conference USA favorites in the vote of the league's coaches will face the Owls at Houston Baptist's Sharp Gym while Rice renovates its historic home, Autry Gym.

In the conference opener for both teams, the Wave (10-3) and Owls (7-7) meet in a rematch of the C-USA Tournament finals last season. The Owls knocked off the top-seeded Wave for their second win over Tulane in the season. Of the Green Wave's seven losses last season - the team finished 26-7 - Rice was the only team to defeat Tulane twice.

Tulane earned its 10th win in non-conference play for the second-straight year on Wednesday, defeating Nicholls State, 69-47, at New Orleans Arena.

After Friday's contest, the Green Wave will complete a stretch of three games in five days with a road contest at Houston on Sunday. The Cougars and Wave square off at 3 p.m. CT on ESPN2.