Harrison, Woodard Combine for 45 Points To Lead Tulsa Past Iona

Tulsa improved its record to 6-3 with a 90-81 victory over the Iona Gaels.

Iona took a quick 2-0 lead with an assist from Isaiah Williams to Jordan Washington. But, Rashad Smith answered back with a jumper. A layup and a few threes between A.J. English and Deyshonee Much soon gave the Gaels a 13-5 advantage. With Iona’s shooters heating up just five minutes in, Tulsa needed to pick up its momentum.

A three-pointer from Rashad Ray and a jumper from Brandon Swannegan helped cut Tulsa’s deficit to four. The Golden Hurricane started rolling midway through the first after James Woodard sank the deep ball and Marquel Curtis tied it at 22-all with one from the charity stripe.

With 6:43 before the half, TU led 27-25 after trailing by as many as nine. At this point, Woodard led the Golden Hurricane with nine points.

By intermission Tulsa led Iona 44-32. Shaquille Harrison led Tulsa in scoring with 12 points, Woodard was still at nine, Pat Birt tallied eight and Ray had seven. Tulsa trailed 15-6 early in the first, but later outscored the Gaels 38-17 over the remainder of the period.

Halftime Stats

Tulsa: 55% FG, 6-10 3-Point, 8 ast, 5 TO's, 6 stls

Iona: 44% FG, 4-8 3-Point, 6 ast, 12 TO's, 3 stls

Opening the final half, Rashad Smith eased in a putback layup and Tulsa increased its lead 45-34 less than a minute in.

Harrison sank a jumper to record his 20th point at the 8:29 mark. The score elevated Tulsa to a 17-point lead.

The Golden Hurricane clearly controlled the tempo as they led 84-62 with just five minutes on the clock. TU was running the floor, and playing aggressively on both sides of the ball.

With 3:48 on the board, Tulsa took a 20-point lead and went on to win 90-81.

Harrison recorded 24 in the victory while Woodard hit 21, making it the second time this season both have scored 20 points in the same game.