Slow Start Dooms Tulsa In Loss To Cincinnati

Cincinnati set the tempo, taking a quick 13-2 lead early in the first quarter. 

The Bearcats zone defense was shutting Tulsa down and keeping team captain Shaquille Harrison from penetrating the lane while their offense was dominating the Golden Hurricane on the boards.

TU showed a little life after successful free throw attempts by Harrison, James Woodard and Pat Birt, tallying seven more points for the Golden Hurricane. 

With 6:05 before halftime, Tulsa was struggling to contain Cincinnati, trailing 35-11.

In the final minutes, Harrison, Woodard and Birt stepped up in a combined effort to cut Tulsa’s deficit 42-28 going into intermission.

Tulsa started 2-17 from the field but finished making four of its last ten to end the half shooting 22 percent from the field and 14-21 from the charity stripe.

The Bearcats finished the half shooting 48 percent from the field, 7-13 from three-point range and 7-9 from the line. Cincinnati’s Farad Cobb led all scorers with 13 points. He also contributed three rebounds and two steals.

The Golden Hurricane opened the final half outscoring the Bearcats 7-5, cutting Cincinnati’s advantage 47-35.

TU had an opportunity to cut Cincinnati’s lead to just ten, but Brandon Swannegan missed a seemingly simple shot under the basket. The Bearcats took advantage of Tulsa’s misfortunes and went on a 12-3 run to increase their advantage 59-38.

Compared to Tulsa’s overall defensive performance last season, the lack of defense in this game was very surprising, especially with all the senior leadership on the court.

At minute mark 3:50, D'Andre Wright fouled out with a Flagrant 2 (auto ejection), leaving the game with zero points and just two rebounds as Tulsa trailed 71-51.

Despite its final efforts, Tulsa fell 76-57 to Cincinnati at the buzzer. 

Harrison led the Golden Hurricane in scoring with 21 points and recorded six assists. Birt added 11 points, six rebounds and three assists in his first Tulsa start.

Up Next: TU will host East Carolina on Tuesday. Tipoff is set for 6:00 p.m.