Tulsa Drops Heartbreaker to UCF, 58-57

The game was the seventh-straight contest that came down to the final seconds for the Golden Hurricane.

Thursday, May 26th 2011, 12:12 pm

By: News On 6

Originally Published: Feb 12, 2011 9:14 PM CDT

Oklahoma Sports Staff

ORLANDO, Fla. – It was almost as if karma came back to bite the Golden Hurricane.

After winning three straight games that came down to the last few seconds, it was only fitting that Tulsa’s loss on Saturday was a 58-57 heartbreaker to UCF.

Guard Scottie Haralson missed a potential game-winning 3-pointer at the buzzer after a nice rally to bring Tulsa back into the game.

A UCF layup with 6:26 to play made it 51-44, but that would be the final field goal the Knights would make in the game.

Central Florida’s only points the remainder of the game came on free throws while Tulsa attempted to grind it out and regain the lead.

But UCF made seven of its final eight free throws to seal the victory.

Tulsa guard Justin Hurtt, who has become somewhat famous for hitting clutch shots at the end of games, did his part to keep his team in it.

He made two free throws with 45 seconds to play to pull the Golden Hurricane to within one. He then blocked UCF’s Marcus Jordan and grabbed an offensive rebound to give Tulsa a chance on its final possession, which it could not convert on.

Hurtt led all scorers with 23 points and added five boards. He was the only Tulsa player in double figures.

Keith Clanton led UCF with 16 points and Marcus Jordan, son of NBA legend Michael Jordan had 15 points for the Bulls.

Saturday’s game was the seventh straight game for the Golden Hurricane that has come down to the wire. TU won four of those seven games.

Tulsa will return home Wednesday night to host East Carolina at 7:05 p.m.