TU Back On Track After Win Over ECU

Tulsa men's basketball returned home for a 6:00 p.m. contest against East Carolina, finishing with a 69-58 win over the Pirates. The Golden Hurricane is now 18-7 overall and 11-2 in the AAC.

ECU claimed the tip, and got on the board first with a three from Antonio Robinson. TU's Shaquille Harrison answered by driving up the middle for two.

TU shortly took a 5-3 lead, after Brandon Swannegan knocked down a corner jumper.

James Woodard got in the loop when he sank a deep three, helping TU increase its lead.

Midway through the half, TU's defense and offense looked good as the team took advantage of forced turnovers. The Golden Hurricane led 19-11 by the seven minute mark, as the Pirates struggled to score.

In the final four minutes, Woodard brought the cold weather inside with another icy three-pointer and three points from the line, leading all scorers with 11 points.

Harrison fed off Woodard's hot hand, sinking a three from the top of the key with a minute before the half.

Marquel Curtis tipped a missed shot in at the buzzer, helping his team carry a 35-19 lead into two.

TU came out the gate scoring early in the final half, as ECU tried to chip away their lead.

With 13:15 on the clock, Woodard sank a three, increasing the Golden Hurricane's lead 46-31. Harrison followed up with two, increasing Tulsa's momentum.

With nine minutes left of play, Tulsa went on a long lived run, advancing its lead 58-37.

The Pirates attempted to find a little rhythm late in the half, but not enough to threaten Tulsa's lead.

Woodard stayed lit, knocking down his fourth three to widen the scoring gap between the two teams.

By the end, TU walked away with a 69-58 victory over East Carolina. "Very important win for us, good win," said TU head coach Frank Haith.

Woodard led all scorers with 19. "I feel like we're getting back on track," stated Woodard.