Tulsa Thrashes Tulane Despite Turnovers

If you were looking for beautiful basketball, the Tulsa-Tulane game was not the game for you.  Turnovers marred the contest. Tulsa had 22 and Tulane had 21.

"Obviously, it was a gritty hard fought game and I thought our guys really played hard,” said TU head coach Frank Haith. “It was tough for us to make shots the whole first half, but I thought we just stayed after it and our defense is what carried us."

Tulsa managed to find some good basketball in the second half. Shaq Harrison distributed the ball well, Rashad Ray hustled for loose balls and Sterling Taplin turned turnovers into points. Brandon Swannegan, who got the start in place of D'Andre Wright, made the most of it with 19 points, a career-high. 

"I just came out and approached the game the same way as usual,” said Swannegan. “But instead of bringing energy off the bench, you have to bring it in from the get-go and that's what I wanted to do for my team."

"The decision was made based on we thought Brandon could help us get off to a better start,” added Haith. “He was terrific tonight. Brandon always plays with a high motor and his energy was needed in the starting lineup."

The Golden Hurricane finished with a 62-48 win and advanced to 14-7.

Now, TU turns its attention to a tough February. They'll face a five-game stretch of opponents at the top of the AAC, starting with a game at Temple. This stretch will determine the direction of the season.

"I think our RPIs 2nd in the league, you just got to worry about each game and all the other stuff will take care of itself,” explained Haith. “We have to worry about transition defense, running the court, blocking out and then we'll take whatever happens after that.”