Tulsa shoots 63 percent in exhibition win over Panhandle State
BY BILL HAISTEN World Sports Writer
Monday, November 05, 2012
11/05/12 at 5:39 AM
During the University of Tulsa's first exhibition contest last week, there was more fizzle than sizzle. The Golden Hurricane prevailed 60-49 over Emporia State, but it wasn't an impressive performance.
During Sunday's exhibition contest against Panhandle State at the Reynolds Center, the Hurricane was a different and decidedly better team.
Starting guards James Woodard, Shaq Harrison and Scottie Haralson scored a combined total of 56 points on 10-of-16 shooting from 3-point range, and Tulsa recorded a 113-70 triumph.
"The guys played hard and we're happy with the improvement from the first game to the second game, but we still have a long way to go," TU coach Danny Manning said. "We're encouraged."
Tulsa shot 63 percent overall from the field while committing only 10 turnovers. Six Hurricane players finished with double-figure scoring totals: Woodard with 23 points, Harrison with 18, Haralson with 15, Kauri Black with 13, Rashad Smith with 12 and freshman forward D'Andre Wright with 11 (on 5-of-6 shooting in 11 minutes off the bench).
"When we get a rhythm and everybody is knocking down shots - that's how we should play every night," said Woodard, a left-handed freshman from Edmond. "There was more energy tonight. We're all comfortable now."
Said Manning: "I don't know if we'll shoot again at 63 percent, but hopefully if we get good ball movement and attack in transition, then we do (consistently) shoot a high percentage."
TU opens the regular season next Sunday, hosting LSU-Shreveport for a 7:05 p.m. clash at the Reynolds Center. For the opener, ticket and concession prices are reduced by 50 percent. Every fan in attendance gets a free Tulsa basketball T-shirt.
In a team-high total of 33 minutes against Panhandle State, the 6-foot-4 Woodard was 8-of-13 on shots from the field and totaled five assists and three rebounds.
"He's going to be a good freshman," Manning said. "By the middle of (the Conference USA schedule), he'll be someone who shows up on someone's scouting report."
During the first half, Haralson converted on two 3-pointers within a span of 20 seconds, and Wright followed with a basket. After only eight minutes, TU led 30-17. Against Emporia State, TU needed 26 minutes to reach the 30-point mark.
After leading Panhandle State by only five points (50-45) at halftime, Tulsa blitzed the visitors with a brilliant second half. Smith spun through a defensive double-team and into the paint for a layup. Freshman Rashad Ray swished two free throws. Haralson then connected on a pair of 3-pointers - the latter a deep, rainbow trey from the left wing - giving TU a 70-51 cushion with 15:34 remaining.
With 5:42 left, a Harrison lay-up lifted Tulsa to the 100-point mark and a 37-point cushion.
Thus far, the Hurricane has one glaring weakness. Against Panhandle State, Tulsa missed 17 free throws (19-of-36). In its two exhibitions, the Hurricane was 33-of-61 - a horrendous 54 percent.
"I'm not going to sleep very well, thinking about that tonight," Manning said. "You just have to step up there and make them."
Tulsa 113, Panhandle State 70
| Panhandle State |
45 |
25 |
- |
70 |
| Tulsa |
50 |
63 |
- |
113 |
Panhandle: Hill 12, Farrell 10, Randolph 10, Rosemond 9, Clay 8, Caruthers 8, Patterson 4, Messer 3, Tapia-Ponce 3, Sands 2, Capinia 1.
Tulsa: Woodard 23, Harrison 18, Haralson 15, Black 13, Smith 12, Wright 11, Ray 9, Swannegan 5, King 4, Peete 2, Booker 1.
TU opener
Vs. LSU-Shreveport
7:05 p.m. Sunday
Radio: KRMG am740, fm102.3
Original Print Headline: Hot-shooting Hurricane wins exhibition
Bill Haisten 918-581-8397
bill.haisten@tulsaworld.com
