TULSA, Okla. (Interstat) — The Tulsa women’s basketball team used a dominant second quarter to seize control and never looked back, defeating Tulane 65-46 in an American Athletic Conference game Tuesday night at the Donald Reynolds Center.

A crowd of 1,185 watched the Golden Hurricane improve to 18-9 overall and solidify their position in the conference standings, while the Green Wave fell to 10-16.

The game’s pivotal stretch came in the second period. After a competitive first quarter that saw Tulane lead 14-10, Tulsa’s offense ignited and its defense clamped down. The Golden Hurricane outscored the Green Wave 20-11 in the quarter, turning a narrow deficit into a 30-25 halftime lead. The surge was fueled by balanced scoring and disruptive defense that forced Tulane into rushed shots and turnovers.

Tulsa’s momentum carried into the second half. They extended their lead with a 19-6 third-quarter advantage, effectively putting the game out of reach. Tulane’s offense, which showed promise early, went cold for extended periods, managing just six points in the third quarter as the Golden Hurricane built an insurmountable 49-31 lead entering the final frame.

Tulsa’s victory was a product of efficient performances from its international duo and steady guard play. Sophomore guard Mady Cartwright of Greenwood, Arkansas, led all scorers with 16 points and added 4 assists in 36 minutes, orchestrating the offense and hitting key shots. She was complemented by freshman forward Dora Toman of Budapest, Hungary, who provided a significant spark off the bench with 15 points on 6-of-12 shooting, including three 3-pointers, in just 22 minutes.

Senior guard Hannah Riddick of Calgary, Canada, filled the stat sheet with 10 points, 5 assists, and 3 steals, serving as a steadying force. Her backcourt mate, junior Layla-J Cameron of Gold Coast, Australia, contributed 8 points and 4 rebounds.

For Tulane, the scoring load was carried by Jayda Brown and Mecailin Marshall, who each finished with 12 points. Brown, a sophomore from Atlanta, Georgia, also tallied 3 assists and a block. Marshall, a junior from Abernathy, Texas, scored 10 of her points in the second half. Senior guard Kanija Daniel of Carrollton, Georgia, added 7 points and 2 blocks, but the Green Wave struggled to find consistent offense outside of their top scorers.

Defensively, Tulsa’s length and activity were decisive. They blocked 5 shots and recorded 8 steals, converting those opportunities into transition points. Tulane’s Amira Mabry of Converse, Texas, was a bright spot defensively with 2 blocks, but the team shot just 32 percent from the field for the game.

The win completed a regular-season sweep for Tulsa, which also defeated Tulane 76-73 in New Orleans on Jan. 6. According to Interstat’s ELO system, Tulsa entered the game with a 79.5 percent probability to win, a projection they fulfilled with a methodical and physical performance.

Tulsa will look to continue its winning ways on the road Saturday at Rice. Tulane aims to regroup at home against Wichita State on Saturday.