Tulsa's offense was on full display at Bartow Arena, as they handed UAB a 99-77 defeat. David Green led the charge, scoring 26 points and grabbing 7 rebounds to pace the Golden Hurricane. The win was predicted by CHD Scout, who had Tulsa winning by a slim 0.5 points, but the actual margin of victory was a convincing 22 points.
The Golden Hurricane set the tone early, taking a 46-37 lead into halftime. UAB's KyeRon Lindsay-Martin did his best to keep the Blazers in the game, scoring 15 points and pulling down 6 rebounds, but it wasn't enough to slow down Tulsa's high-powered offense. The Golden Hurricane's Miles Barnstable and Tyler Behrend also made significant contributions, scoring 25 and 16 points, respectively.
Tulsa's offense was relentless in the second half, scoring 53 points to pull away from the Blazers. The Golden Hurricane's ability to score from both inside and outside proved too much for UAB to handle, as they struggled to keep pace with Tulsa's frenetic tempo. Chance Westry and Jacob Meyer added 14 and 13 points, respectively, for the Blazers, but it wasn't enough to overcome the Golden Hurricane's balanced attack.
CHD Scout Report Card
CORRECTPredicted
Final
The win was a significant one for Tulsa, as it marked a Quadrant 2 victory for the Golden Hurricane. With a current NET ranking of 51, Tulsa is solidifying its position as a tournament contender. The loss, also a Quadrant 2 game for UAB, drops the Blazers to 12-7 on the season, but they still have a respectable NET ranking of 119.
David Green's performance was a key factor in the Golden Hurricane's victory, as he was able to exploit UAB's defense for easy baskets. His 26 points were a game-high, and his 7 rebounds helped Tulsa control the boards. KyeRon Lindsay-Martin's effort was valiant, but ultimately not enough to overcome the Golden Hurricane's depth and talent.
The 22-point margin of victory was a surprise, given the close prediction from CHD Scout. However, Tulsa's offense was able to find its rhythm and pull away from the Blazers in the second half. The Golden Hurricane's ability to score from multiple sources made them difficult to defend, and UAB was unable to keep pace.
This result has real consequences for both teams' tournament chances. Tulsa's win strengthens its resume, adding a Quadrant 2 victory to its ledger. UAB, on the other hand, must regroup and refocus if it hopes to make a push for the postseason. With the loss, the Blazers must rebound quickly and find a way to slow down high-powered offenses like Tulsa's if they hope to make a deep run in the tournament.