The Green Wave (0-1, 0-0 American Athletic Conference) drops its first game of the season in the 71-49 loss to Wake Forest.

Tulane came out flat to start the game as Wake Forest went on a 26-8 run. But the Wave bounced back, lead by junior guard Louis Dabney, who recorded 13 of his 17 points in the first half, as well as tallying 3 of his 4 steals to cut the lead to 32-27 heading into the half. 

The Wave came out just as flat in the second half and no combination of players could find any rhythm in the game. Wake Forest out rebounded Tulane 47 to 28. 

“Our guards need to get physically tougher,” head coach Conroy said. “All across the board we weren’t as physical as we needed to be.”

The Wave shot a combined 1 of 20 from beyond the arc and shot 28.6 percent from the field. The Wave scored four field goals in the second half. 

“We just weren’t focused mentally,” Dabney said. “We are a great three point shooting team. Nights like this won’t happen too often.” 

The first season opening home loss since Georgetown defeated the Green Wave 74-58, when now Detroit Piston Gregg Monroe posted 18 points and 11 rebounds in the loss.