NEW ORLEANS (Interstat) — The Tulane women’s basketball team used a dominant first half to secure a 76-44 victory over Delaware State on Saturday at Devlin Fieldhouse, snapping a two-game skid and improving to 5-6 on the season.

The Green Wave seized control early, closing the first quarter on a 17-2 run to lead 19-6. The onslaught continued in the second period, where Tulane outscored the Hornets 29-2, fueled by a stifling defense that held Delaware State without a field goal for nearly 13 minutes of game time spanning the first and second quarters. The Hornets missed 18 consecutive shots during that stretch, a drought finally broken by a Liliana Harrison layup with 1:40 remaining in the half. By then, Tulane had built an insurmountable 48-8 advantage.

The most important part of the game was undoubtedly Tulane’s overwhelming second-quarter performance, which transformed a competitive opening minutes into a decisive blowout. After Delaware State’s Aniyah Jones scored to make it 8-6 with 8:09 left in the first, the Hornets’ offense completely collapsed. Tulane’s defense, anchored by 6-foot-2 center Dyllan Hanna’s five blocks, consistently altered shots at the rim, while the Green Wave capitalized on the other end. The 29-2 quarter featured balanced scoring and a relentless transition game, effectively deciding the contest long before halftime.

Delaware State, which fell to 3-10, showed resilience after the break, outscoring Tulane 19-13 in the third quarter behind a surge from guard Nevaeh Reaves. The freshman from Aaron, Georgia, scored 15 of her game-high 18 points in the second half, including four three-pointers. Tulane’s offense, however, had more than enough firepower to maintain a comfortable margin, never letting the lead dip below 28 points in the final period.

Tulane’s victory was a product of efficient offense and imposing defense. The Green Wave shot 51 percent from the field and connected on 9 of 24 three-point attempts. They also converted 17 of 23 free throws and outscored Delaware State 30-18 in the paint. Defensively, Tulane’s 10 blocks and seven steals contributed to 18 Hornet turnovers, which the Green Wave converted into 25 points.

Amira Mabry, a 6-foot forward from Converse, Texas, led Tulane with a near double-double of eight points and 11 rebounds. Guard Kendall Sneed of China, Texas, filled the stat sheet with seven points, five rebounds, four assists and a block. The Green Wave also received 12-point performances from both Mecailin Marshall and Kayla Hampton, with Hampton hitting four three-pointers off the bench. Hanna finished with eight points, seven rebounds and five blocks.

For Delaware State, Reaves’ 18 points on 6-of-17 shooting, including 5-of-13 from beyond the arc, provided a bright spot. Toni Smith added six points and three rebounds off the bench. The Hornets struggled mightily from the field overall, shooting just 28 percent. They were hampered by a 2-for-14 performance in the second quarter and finished 5 of 17 from three-point range and 7 of 14 from the free throw line.

The game was played before an announced crowd of 691. Tulane entered as a heavy favorite, with statistical models giving the Green Wave a 99.4 percent probability to win. The result followed recent trends for both teams; Delaware State has now lost five straight, while Tulane rebounded from a 29-point road loss to Alabama earlier in the week.

Tulane will look to build momentum when it hosts Detroit on Sunday. Delaware State, continuing a lengthy road trip, faces Mercer on Sunday in a neutral-site game also in New Orleans.