GAME RECAP: TU Beats AAC Foe Temple, Tallies Important Win

On a night Tulsa honored the memory of former TU legend Steve Harris, Tulsa prevailed over league-leading Temple and enhanced its NCAA credential.

But the Owls had they're way early.

“I thought we were a little tight early and we weren't moving quickly, but we changed our defense and got started better at the end of the half,” said Golden Hurricane head coach Frank Haith.

Temple's 12-point lead was erased with a 17-2 Tulsa run. Pat Birt started getting hot and defensively the Golden Hurricane locked in.

 "We were just showing our growth out there, executing down the stretch defensively and offensively,” said TU senior guard James Woodard. “We made the extra pass and then defensively just coming down getting stops and getting one and done on the boards."

Tulsa controlled the entire second half. Temple only shot 36 percent. Woodard and Marquel Curtis scored 15 and 13 respectively and the Golden Hurricane won its third game in six days.

"It takes a toughness and a tremendous amount of grit and determination to do it when we're down a man (Rashad Smith), so I'm definitely very encouraged and pleased with what our guys were able to accomplish,” stated Haith.

TU’s last two games of the regular season are Memphis and South Florida which won't help the RPI. But take this for what it's worth; Temple coach Fran Dunphy said Tulsa is an NCAA tournament team for sure.