Tulsa
SMU
SMU Sinks Tulsa 64-56
3/4/2004 12:00:00 AM | Men's Basketball
March 4, 2004
TULSA, Okla. (AP) - Bryan Hopkins scored 20 points to help SMU to a 64-56 victory over Tulsa Thursday night.
SMU broke open a close game with a 7-0 run early in the second half to take a 41-32 lead.
The Golden Hurricane (8-19, 4-13 Western Athletic Conference) pulled within 52-48 at the 5:36 mark on Anthony Price's layup. However, SMU (11-16, 5-12 WAC) answered with a layup by Patrick Simpson and two free throws by Eric Castro to extend its advantage to 56-48.
Castro had 17 points and 10 rebounds, his second double-double against TU this season. Simpson had 11 points and seven rebounds, while Hopkins hit 5-of-10 3-pointers.
Tulsa was led by Jason Parker's 16 points. Parker also had five turnovers, including a crucial errant pass after the Golden Hurricane had closed to within 52-48.
Tulsa had one final chance after a 3-pointer by Parker cut the deficit to 56-51 with 2:29 to play, but SMU got layups on its next two possessions from Simpson and Castro to put it away.
The Mustangs shot 50 percent for the game while limiting the Hurricane to 42.9 percent.
The victory was the first for SMU's interim coach Robert Lineburg, who replaced the fired Mike Dement.
SMU will play Tulsa again in the first round of the WAC Tournament next week in Fresno, Calif.
