Tulsa, OK (Sports Network) - Jonathan Mills scored nine points, brought down
11 rebounds, and hit what proved to be the game-winning free throws as the
Southern Miss Golden Eagles survived for a 62-59 win over the Tulsa Golden
Hurricane in a Conference USA battle at the Reynolds Center.
Jerrold Brooks and Dwayne Davis paced Southern Miss (17-4, 6-0 C-USA) with 11
points apiece. All nine players who took the floor for the Golden Eagles
scored at least three points.
Pat Swilling, Jr. scored 14 points to lead Tulsa (12-9, 4-3), while James
Woodard finished with 13 points and seven boards. Kauri Black went 4-of-4 from
the field for 12 points, and Scottie Haralson added 11 points.
Tulsa was the more aggressive team in the opening period, forcing 12 USM fouls
and taking advantage at the free-throw line, making 8-of-10. However, the
Golden Eagles corralled seven offensive rebounds and went on a 15-3 run midway
through the half. They led 31-30 at intermission.
A 9-0 Southern Miss run midway through the second half gave it a 46-40
advantage with 9:18 remaining. The lead dwindled down to just one on a
Swilling, Jr. triple with less than two minutes remaining before Mills padded
the USM lead from the charity stripe. Woodard's potential game-tying 3-point
try with one second left was off the mark.
The visitors were dominant on the glass, winning the rebounding battle, 44-29.
GAME NOTES:
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