TU Men Rally to Defeat Marshall Thundering Herd

Originally Published: Feb 3, 2010 9:41 PM CDT

Oklahoma Sports staff

TULSA, Oklahoma – In what was billed a battle of big men, Tulsa’s Jerome Jordan got the best of Marshall’s star freshman Hassan Whiteside. The senior recorded a double-double, 24 points and 12 rebounds, as Tulsa rallied to defeat Marshall 73-69.

The Golden Hurricane (18-4, 7-1) struggled mightily in the first half as Jordan and fellow senior Ben Uzoh combined to hit just 3 of 15 field goals in the first 20 minutes. Marshall (15-7, 4-4) built a lead as big as 15 before going the locker room up 37-28.

Jordan saved his best for last. After hitting two free throws to give Tulsa a 71-69 lead with 24 seconds left, the 7-footer ran the floor after a Ben Uzoh block and finished the break with a game-sealing dunk that brought the crowd to its feet.

Jordan and the TU defense did a good job on Whiteside defensively as they held the freshman to 10 points and one rebound.

Uzoh did not enjoy his usual offensive production as he scored just five points. He did, however, hit a critical jumper with just under a minute to play to tie the game at 69.

With Jordan and Uzoh struggling in the first half, Justin Hurtt kept Tulsa in the game with nine first-half points. He finished the game with 18.

Stephen Idlet also recorded a double-double in the game with 11 points and 10 rebounds. His jump hook early in the second half gave Tulsa its first lead, 45-43. Tulsa returns to action on Saturday night on the road at UTEP.