Wojcik Ties TU Career Coaching Mark With Win Against Marshall

NewsOn6.com

TULSA, Oklahoma – Tulsa coach Doug Wojcik set a big time personal mark on Saturday night, but as expected, he said he was even happier about his team's victory.

Regardless, both were causes for celebration for Golden Hurricane fans at the Reynolds Center as TU defeated Marshall 79-70 and Wojcik tied the record for most coaching wins in school history.

Wojcik won his 137th game as Tulsa's coach, tying Clarence Iba for the most all time.

"I know what the Iba name means and the family, I respect it," Wojcik said. "I've always wanted to kind of build something here."

Almost as impressive as Wojcik's achievement on Saturday is the Golden Hurricane's current achievement of seven straight victories.

TU's seven straight wins is the most since it won seven straight from Jan. 2 to Jan. 23 of 2010.

The Golden Hurricane also shot nearly 56 percent against the Thundering Herd on Saturday, marking the fourth-straight game TU has topped the 50 percent shooting mark.

Wojcik said he knew his team was capable of big winning streaks but didn't expect one in particular.

"I just knew that we would be in every game," he said. "Because we've been in every game all year, except for one. I take it a game at a time - how do we practice, are we healthy, has the flu hit us yet. Fortunately, we've been able to stay healthy."

Guard Jordan Clarkson led Tulsa with 21 points on 7-of-11 shooting. He has scored in double figures in 20 consecutive games this year.

Big man Steven Idlet added 16 points off the bench and Tim Peete came through with 14.

Tulsa held a 37-30 advantage at the break following a tight first half. But Marshall came out strong in the second, using a quick 9-0 run in the first four minutes to regain the lead.

The two teams bounced the lead back and forth until a pair of free throws from Idlet gave Tulsa a lead it would not relinquish with 9:32 to play.

TU improved to 7-2 in conference play, tying its best conference start in school history, which has occurred two other times. The Golden Hurricane is 14-9 overall.

Tulsa will move on to face the UTEP Miners on the road on Feb. 8. The game will tip off at 8 p.m.