Tulsa Drops Another Game in C-USA Race

The Golden Hurricane fell behind early and was unable to overcome the Thundering Herd Wednesday.

Thursday, May 26th 2011, 12:13 pm

By: News On 6

Originally Published: Feb 23, 2011 11:34 PM CDT

Oklahoma Sports Staff and Wire Reports

HUNTINGTON, West Virginia. -- The Tulsa Golden Hurricane stumbled in the C-USA title race Wednesday as Marshall dominated Tulsa early for a 79-61 victory Wednesday night.

Tirrell Baines scored a career-high 26 points for Marshall, lifting the Thundering Herd to the victory.

Marshall, which won its fourth straight game, jumped out to a 20-3 lead and led 42-28 at halftime.

After pushing the margin to 22 with 18:04 to play, the Thundering Herd hit a dry spell that allowed the Golden Hurricane to cut the deficit to 16 with 12:15 to play.

Tulsa could get no closer and the Thundering Herd took its biggest lead, 24 points, at 77-53 with 3:56 left.

Baines was 9-for-12 from the field and 8-for-12 from the free-throw line while Damier Pitts added 19 points and a season-high eight assists.

The Golden Hurricane came into the game with a plus-6.2 rebounding margin, second in the league, but was out rebounded 42-26.

Jordan Clarkson led Tulsa with 16 points and Justin Hurtt contributed 15.