The University of Alabama at Birmingham Athletics
UAB
Tulsa
Blazers Suffer First C-USA Loss to Tulsa 78-62
1/15/2011 12:00:00 AM | Men's Basketball
Jan. 15, 2011
TULSA, Okla. (AP) - Justin Hurtt scored 14 of his 17 points in the second half and Steven Idlet had 16 points and five rebounds as Tulsa pulled away from UAB to win 78-62 on Saturday night.
Jamarr Sanders led UAB (11-4, 1-1 C-USA) with 22 points, making 10 of 22 field goals. Freshman Preston Purifoy finished with a career-high 13 points and Cameron Moore added 11, all coming in the first half.
"We have to get tougher, especially our post players," UAB head coach Mike Davis said. "We came out with no energy and no effort. Give credit to Tulsa. They outplayed us tonight. They are a very good basketball team. We need to learn from this fast, because we play in two days against another good team in East Carolina."
Scottie Haralson added 14 for the Golden Hurricane (9-8, 2-1).
The Blazers erased most of a 15-point first-half deficit and trailed just 62-56 with 4:01 remaining. Hurtt hit a mid-range jumper and Bryson Pope scored on a steal to push the lead to 66-56. Tulsa closed the game on an 8-0 run, which included a breakaway dunk by Hurtt with a minute to play.
Tulsa established itself early in often in the low post, outscoring UAB, 32-28, in the paint and owning a big 37-23 advantage on the boards. The Golden Hurricane also had a big edge at the free throw line, going 18-of-26 compared to the Blazers five attempts (3-of-5).
UAB will have a quick turnaround as it travles to take on East Carolina on Monday night in Greenville, N.C. The contest was originally slated for Jan. 12, but was postponed due to incliment weather. Tip off is set for 7 p.m. ET (6 p.m. CT).
