Tulsa beats Central Arkansas 98-81

Nov 14, 2016, 08:23 pm

TULSA, Okla. -- James Woodard scored 23 points with four rebounds, four assists and four steals as Tulsa beat Central Arkansas 98-81 in a season opener on Saturday night.

Woodard was 8 of 13 from the field and sank five 3-pointers for the Golden Hurricane. Shaquille Harrison had 22 points and seven rebounds and Brandon Swannegan and Pat Birt added 12 points apiece. The team hit 58.5 percent from the field overall and 70.6 percent from the line.

Woodard hit two 3-pointers in the first half to help lift Tulsa to a 44-38 lead at halftime.

The Golden Hurricane went on a 14-7 run capped by a dunk by Harrison to open the second half and Tulsa was up 58-45. Central Arkansas tried to close the gap midway but Tulsa preserved its lead with another dunk by Harrison and a 3-pointer by Birt with 1:49 to play.

Derreck Brooks led the Bears with 25 points.