Yoav Katz

“Yeah Ro!” – said in the voice of Memphis rapper GloRilla.

Rowan Brumbaugh and Tulane University men’s basketball just defeated the University of Memphis 78-76, snapping a 5-game losing streak. 

After losing an 8-point halftime lead, the game was all tied up at 76 with 10 seconds remaining in regulation. With 25 points already on the board, Brumbaugh called on his own number to get the job done.

He received the inbounds pass and drove directly to the basket, running right by the Tigers’ defender and converting the layup with 6.1 seconds to go. Memphis drove down the floor to try to tie the game, but lost the ball; Tulane’s Tyler Ringgold recovered it, sealing the deal. 

Tulane secured 10 total steals and held the Tigers to only 36% shooting, which is mainly thanks to head coach Ron Hunter’s suffocating zone defense.

Guard Asher Woods also finally broke out of his slump with 19 points and four 3-pointers. Both Brumbaugh and Woods played every single minute of the game, making their performances even more impressive. 

The Green Wave hadn’t won a game since Jan. 10. They were coming in as a 9-point underdog, and that’s without mentioning Memphis had won 18-straight home conference games.

In a conference that won’t receive an at-large NCAA Tournament bid, every game counts. Also, the new structure of the American Conference Tournament heavily favors the top two seeds, as they both advance directly to the semifinal. These teams then only need two wins to secure a spot in the NCAA Tournament, meaning, despite Tulane’s rough patch, the conference is still wide open. 

This win was not perfect. The game turned sloppy numerous times, and Tulane got into foul trouble way too quickly. Ringgold recorded three fouls in the first half, and starter Luke Rasmussen fouled out almost as soon as the second half started, leaving the Green Wave undermanned. 

But they made shots and defensive stops when they needed to. They weren’t phased when Memphis went on a run, and they were the team that made fewer mistakes. 

This was a season-saving win that could not have come at a better time for Hunter and his crew. And, sheesh. Rowan Brumbaugh can hoop.