Tulsa Dominant in C-USA Home Opener against Rice

The Golden Hurricane was all over the Owls from the opening tip to win it's conference home opener easily.

Thursday, May 26th 2011, 12:08 pm

By: News On 6

Tulsa Dominant in C-USA Home Opener against Rice

Originally Published: Jan 8, 2011 10:27 PM CDT

Gerald Goodridge
Oklahoma Sports Staff Writer

TULSA, Oklahoma -- Tulsa’s win to open conference play was never in doubt Saturday, jumping out to a 15-0 lead and cruised to 75-64 win over the Rice Owls.

Bryson Pope was the man for the Golden Hurricane in the game’s opening moments.

The sophomore from Jenks High School managed four steals and five points on the game’s first five possessions.

He finished the first half with eight points and five steals.

The closest the Owls would come was a seven-point deficit, trailing 40-33 with less than four minutes elapsing in the second half. However Tulsa would put together another big run.

The Golden Hurricane put up 14 straight – including six from Justin Hurtt – to put the game out of reach once again.

He finished with a game-high 16 points and eight rebounds, with Steven Idlet and Jordan Clarkson both adding 15 points. Scottie Haralson notched 12 and Pope finished with 11 to give the Golden Hurricane four starters scoring in double-digits.

Tulsa will be back in action and back at home at 7:05 p.m. Thursday against Southern Utah.