Rowan Brumbaugh scored 35 points to lead the ninth-seeded Tulane men’s basketball team to an 81-69 win over eighth-seeded Memphis in the first round of the American Conference Championship on March 11. The game took place at Legacy Arena in Birmingham, Alabama.
The victory allows Tulane (18-14) to advance to the second round of the tournament, where they will face fifth-seeded Charlotte. Brumbaugh’s performance was notable for his efficiency, shooting 66.7 percent from the field and making five three-pointers. He also contributed eight rebounds and made 10-of-13 free throws.
Tulane as a team connected on 14 three-point shots at a rate of 41.2 percent and matched its season-high with 40 rebounds, including 15 offensive boards. Curtis Williams Jr. added 11 points and seven rebounds, while Scotty Middleton and Tyler Ringgold each scored nine points.
The game saw several momentum shifts early on, but Tulane built a lead late in the first half with a run capped by a buzzer-beating three-pointer from Luke Rasmussen. In the second half, Memphis closed the gap to two points before Tulane responded with strong defense, holding Memphis without a field goal for two separate six-minute stretches.
Tulane maintained control throughout the final minutes, never letting its lead drop below ten points and securing the win from the free throw line. The Green Wave will play Charlotte next, with tipoff scheduled for Thursday at 6 p.m. on ESPNU.
Looking ahead, Tulane aims to continue its progress in the tournament after this opening-round victory.
