The Green Wave Women’s Basketball team officially kicks off the new season Friday at 5:30 p.m., hosting Arkansas-Little Rock in the Avron B. Fogelman Arena in Devlin Fieldhouse.

The team debuted against neighbor Loyola New Orleans on Thursday, Nov. 5 in Devlin Fieldhouse and gave fans a preview of a promising season. The Tulane women scored almost double the points of their opponent, finishing at 90-48. Freshman guard Taylor Emery, junior guard Courtnie Latham, sophomore guard Kolby Morgan and junior guard Leslie Vorpahl all recorded double-digit points for the Wave.

At 3:45 left in the first quarter, the Green Wave had their biggest deficit of the game trailing the Wolf Pack 16-6. The game took a turn when Tulane had a 13-4 run and forced five Loyola turnovers in the remaining time of the first quarter. Tulane continued this run in the second quarter, finishing 48-33 before the half.

The Green Wave defense was even tougher in the second half, holding the Wolf Pack to only nine points in the third and six in the fourth quarter. In total, Tulane forced 30 Loyola turnovers that translated into 34 points.

This exhibition game showcased the Green Wave’s strengths and enthusiasm for the new season. After finishing 22-11 last season, the women have set a high standard for themselves and proved they are ready for the season with this high scoring win. The women were 45.8 percent from the field and 85.7 percent from the free throw line.

Morgan showed her excitement after the first time the five new freshmen played with the team.

“It was a good feeling to be back out there,” Morgan said. “Back with a new squad so it’s a brand new atmosphere. Different people but the intensity still needs to stay up. Just a good feeling tonight.”

Even though the Tulane women began powerfully with the win over the Wolfpack, they meet a much tougher opponent in Arkansas- Little Rock. With five freshmen each, both teams are relatively young and will give a fresh take on this match up. The Trojans finished 28-4 for the regular season last year and made a tournament appearance. The Trojans were knocked out of the NCAA Women’s Championship in the second round after defeating sixth seeded Texas A&M. UALR lost a couple players but returning senior guard Alexius Dawn earned a spot on the All-Sun Belt Second Team and should prove to be a force to stop.

After the Green Wave’s performance against Loyola, the team gives fans hope that the squad will repeat last year’s 74-58 win over the Trojans and open the season on a high note.