Kris Richard scored a career-high 24 points. Kendall Timmons had 19 points and 10 rebounds. Aaron Holmes scored the basket that put Tulane ahead for good.

If you can't quite remember that game, join the crowd. It was the last time the Green Wave won in Conference USA away from home, dating all the way back to Jan. 5 of 2011.

"That is what conference basketball is all about," then-first-year coach Ed Conroy said after the Wave's 85-81 victory at Rice. "It rises up a notch and our guys were ready for it and they stepped up to the challenge. I could not be happier and more proud of them."

They have not stepped up away from the friendly confines of Devlin Fieldhouse again, losing 15 consecutive league road games and two more in the Conference USA tournament.

The Wave has been close numerous times, losing by single digits on nine occasions, but no one has converted the clutch baskets that turn tough losses into tight wins.

The next chance comes Saturday afternoon at SMU, which brought in legendary 72-year old coach Larry Brown this season but needs better 18-to-22-year olds to make an impact in Conference USA. The Mustangs (10-7, 0-2) lost their league home opener 48-47 to Tulsa before falling 78-67 at Houston.



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