Tulsa's high-powered offense was on full display at Halton Arena, as the Golden Hurricane cruised to an 86-74 victory over UNC Charlotte. David Green led the charge with 21 points, while Tylen Riley and Miles Barnstable added 19 and 18 points, respectively. The trio's impressive performance helped Tulsa build a seven-point halftime lead, which they maintained throughout the second half.
Ben Bradford did his best to keep Charlotte in the game, scoring 26 points to pace the 49ers. However, the team's inability to contain Tulsa's balanced attack ultimately was their downfall. Dezayne Mingo and Major Freeman chipped in with 11 and 9 points, respectively, but it wasn't enough to overcome the Golden Hurricane's onslaught.
Tulsa's strong first half set the tone for the game, as they shot their way to a 44-37 lead at the break. The Golden Hurricane's offense showed no signs of slowing down in the second half, as they continued to move the ball effectively and find open shooters. Charlotte, on the other hand, struggled to find a rhythm on offense, relying heavily on Bradford's individual efforts.
The 49ers' defense had no answer for Tulsa's talented trio, as Green, Riley, and Barnstable consistently found ways to score. The Golden Hurricane's ability to spread the ball around and get multiple players involved made it difficult for Charlotte to key in on any one player. As a result, Tulsa was able to maintain a comfortable lead throughout the second half, eventually emerging with a 12-point victory.
The win improves Tulsa's record to 17-3, solidifying their position as one of the top teams in the country. The Golden Hurricane's resume continues to grow, with this victory falling into Quadrant 3. For Charlotte, the loss drops their record to 11-9, and this game is classified as a Quadrant 2 loss. While the 49ers still have work to do to bolster their tournament chances, the experience of competing against a high-caliber team like Tulsa can only help them moving forward.
This result will likely have a positive impact on Tulsa's tournament chances, as they continue to rack up impressive wins. The Golden Hurricane's strong performance against Charlotte is a reflection of their depth and talent, and they want to build on this momentum as they move forward. Conversely, Charlotte must regroup and refocus, using this loss as a learning experience to improve their game and make a push for the postseason.