Late-Game Push Snaps Tulsa's Losing Streak to Memphis

Originally Published: Feb 2, 2011 9:21 PM CDT

Gerald Goodridge
Oklahoma Sports Staff Writer

MEMPHIS, Tennessee -- A late-game push gave the Tulsa Golden Hurricane a 68-65 win over the Memphis Tigers Wednesday.

The win ended the Golden Hurricane’s 12-game losing streak to the Tigers and its first win over Memphis since joining the Conference USA in 2005.

Tulsa trailed by three points at the start of the second half and Memphis started the second half with a 7-0 run to extend its advantage to 37-27. The run expanded to 10-4 to give the Tigers a 40-31 lead just five minutes into the second half.

Then the Golden Hurricane battled back.

Over the next seven minutes, Tulsa strung together a 20-7 run and took its first lead of the second half on a trio of Scottie Haralson free throws.

Both squads traded leads for the next six minutes, but the Golden Hurricane took a lead on a pair of Justin Hurtt free throws with just 75 seconds left on the clock. Those were the first two of six-consecutive points from TU to take a 66-61 lead with 25 seconds left to play.

Memphis would score four more points, but missed a buzzer-beating three-pointer to give the Golden Hurricane the win.

Idlet led all scorers with 17 points and seven rebounds, while Jordan Clarkson contributed 15 points and Scottie Haralson added 13 points.

Memphis’ Joe Jackson scored 16 points and Will Coleman notched a double-double with 11 points and 10 rebounds.

The Golden Hurricane will try to extend its win streak to three games with a matchup Saturday against the Houston Cougars.