NEW ORLEANS – Tulane men’s basketball (12–6, 3–2) was unable to erase a 13-point second half deficit dropping its second consecutive game 63-71 to North Texas (11-7, 2-3) Sunday inside Avron B. Fogelman Arena in the Devlin Fieldhouse. The Green Wave pulled within two points a pair of times late in the second half but unfortunately was never able to take the lead against the Mean Green.
With the loss, the Wave suffered its fifth-straight defeat against North Texas and dropped to 2-5 all-time against the Mean Green.
Rowan Brumbaugh and Curtis Williams Jr. were the only players for Tulane to end the game with double figures in scoring. Brumbaugh totaled 22 points to notch his 17th game this season in double digits and his sixth performance with at least 20 points. The redshirt junior guard also led the Green Wave with seven rebounds while adding a pair of assists.
Williams posted 15 points with five made three-pointers, three assists, and a pair of steals. The performance by the junior marked his 12th game of the season with double figures and his second game with a least five made threes.
It was a back-and-forth start in the opening eight-plus minutes of the first half as Tulane and North Texas traded the lead six times. The Mean Green made the first impactful push scoring eight-straight points to put the Wave behind by double digits with 5:14 to go in the first half.
In the final 67 seconds of the frame KJ Greene and Williams each hit a three for Tulane to send the Green Wave into the locker room trailing 30-35. Williams carried the offensive load in the first half hitting four shots from beyond the arc for 12 points.
The momentum from the final minute of the opening frame did not carry into the second half for the Wave as North Texas extended its advantage to put Tulane down 13 with 13:52 remaining. The Green Wave slowly chipped away until mounting an 8-0 run to pull within two (56-58) with 5:36 on the clock.
Tulane faced a two-point deficit again moments later at 57-59, but the Mean Green responded with a three-pointer. The Wave was unable to battle back again in the closing minutes eventually falling 63-71.
Next, the Green Wave will visit Boca Raton, Florida, for a rematch with Florida Atlantic on January 21. Tipoff between Tulane and the Owls is scheduled for 6 p.m. CT on ESPN+.
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