Tulane arrived reeling, Memphis arrived searching for traction — and the Green Wave left with the only thing that matters: a 78-76 win over the Tigers on Feb. 1, 2026.

In a game defined by margins and late-game execution, Tulane did enough to close, snapping a five-game losing streak and improving to 13-9. Memphis, meanwhile, fell to 10-11, wasting an opportunity to build on a recent uptick in form.

What decided it

This was a two-point game, and it played like one. With no overtime and no quarter-by-quarter scoring available, the clearest takeaway is the simplest: Tulane won the final possession battle. In a tight, late-game environment, the Green Wave managed the closing moments better and avoided the one mistake that would have flipped the result.

Momentum swing: Tulane finally finishes

Tulane entered the day carrying an 0-5 stretch of form. Those streaks typically come with recurring late-game problems — shot selection, defensive breakdowns, or empty possessions under pressure. This time, Tulane found a way to get across the line, and that matters as much as any single play in a one-possession game.

For Memphis, the loss interrupts what had been a steadier recent run (WLLWW) and drops the Tigers back into the churn around .500. When you’re 10-10 and looking to climb, home games against a slumping opponent are the ones you can’t let slip.

Big picture implications

Tulane: a reset point

At 12-9 entering the game, Tulane wasn’t far from stabilizing — but the five straight losses threatened to turn a manageable season into a spiral. Winning on the road by two points is the kind of result that can reset a locker room, especially when it comes against a similarly positioned opponent.

Memphis: urgency rises

Memphis drops to 10-11, and this one stings because the margin for error tightens quickly in February. The Tigers’ recent form suggested they were building something, but close losses at home have a way of lingering — not just in the standings, but in how a team approaches late-game possessions the next time it’s tight.

Up next

The venue was listed as TBD, but the result is clear: Tulane leaves with a 78-76 win and a chance to build momentum after its skid. Memphis leaves with another narrow loss and a clear reminder that close games demand cleaner finishes.