The University of Tulsa trailed by as many as 16 in the second half but fought back to knock off UTSA 82-77 and earn its first conference and road win of the season in front of 1,047 at the Convocation Center on Tuesday evening.
Tulsa (7-9, 1-2 The American) outscored UTSA (6-8, 0-2 The American) 53-39 in the second half after trailing 38-29 at the break. The Roadrunners could not match Tulsa's energy in the final 20 minutes.
After the Hurricane had clawed back into the game, it was the Roadrunners who held a 75-74 lead following an old-fashioned 3-point play with just 39 seconds remaining. On the ensuing possession, Keaston Willis found Tyshawn Archie in the corner for a big 3-pointer that put the Hurricane ahead for good, 77-75.
Tulsa put together a key defensive stop, and Dwon Odom went 3-of-4 from the foul line over the next two possessions as TU led 80-77 with 7.7 seconds left in the game. UTSA tried to bring the ball forward, but Odom caused a turnover, batting a loose ball to Archie who clinched the Tulsa win with an emphatic dunk.
The Hurricane shot 66.7 percent from the floor and 3-point range in the second half, knocking down eight 3-pointers as Tulsa overcame a halftime deficit for the first time this season. Tulsa finished the game shooting 46.4 percent on field goals and 3-pointers, knocking down 13 attempts from long range. This after a first half where Tulsa shot under 30 percent on field goals.
UTSA made 41.5 percent of its efforts and hit 10 3-pointers at a 35.7 percent clip. Both shot free throws well, with Tulsa making 17-of-22 (77.3 percent) from the charity stripe and UTSA making 13-of-16 (81.3 percent) of its efforts.
The Roadrunners came in as one of the best teams in the nation at turning over opponents and scoring in transition, and that did give the Hurricane trouble at times. UTSA turned 12 Tulsa turnovers into 20 points and added eight steals and 17 fast break points. Tulsa won the battle of the glass 40-31 and both teams had 10 offensive boards.
Tulsa finished with four in double figures, led by 20 from Braeden Carrington. The junior guard scored 17 in the first half and kept the Hurricane going through a rough shooting performance where he made half of Tulsa's eight field goals. Carrington finished with seven rebounds, but an injury cut his day short.
Willis and Archie both had 19 and had big second half performances. Willis scored all 19 of his points in the second half and knocked down five big 3-pointers. Archie knocked down three triples, two in the second half to aid his 12 points in the frame.
Odom picked up his second double-double at Tulsa with 11 points and 10 assists. It was his second double-double in a TU uniform and first with points and assists. Ian Smikle finished with eight points but added 10 rebounds to lead Tulsa on the glass. The freshman continued his high level of play of the past few weeks.
Primo Spears had a massive game for the Roadrunners, leading all scorers with 40 points and adding five assists and three steals. Spears knocked down five 3-pointers and nine free throws, finishing with 13 baskets. Jonnivius Smith was the other Roadrunner to score in double figures with 12.
The Golden Hurricane returns home for its next conference matchup on Saturday. Tulsa welcomes Charlotte to the Reynolds Center for a 5 p.m. tipoff set to air on ESPNU.
