TU Tames the Wildcats
Tulsa Advances to Second Round of NIT
Micah Stubbs
Issue date: 2/19/09 Section: Sports
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In the first half of play the lead changed 15 times, with Northwestern ahead 30-28 going into the locker room. At the half, Northwestern and Tulsa were even on rebounds, with 16 a piece. With five minutes to play in the first, Tulsa senior Ray Reese hit a three point shot, TU's first of the night. Reese went on to shoot 7-7 from the free throw mark. Uzoh also made all his free throws, as TU shot 86% from the free throw line. Speaking after the game, TU Coach Doug Wojick put it simply: "We had the wherewithal to win the game at the free throw line." Indeed, it was Uzoh's free shots in the final seconds of the game that secured the win.
Wojick praised TU's preparation: "Our scout guys put in so many hours to prepare for a team that is so deliberate offensively. There was a lot of effort from a lot of people that went into this." Northwestern Coach Bill Carmody shared his thoughts on Tulsa after the game: "A well coached team, a veteran team. They [TU] played extremely hard, not unlike some of the teams in our conference [the Big 10]. Then they made the foul shots. They're a very good team. They know how to win. They play Auburn Friday I think this team can go down there and win. It's a veteran team, they go about their business in the right way."
Coach Wojick offered this assessment of the Auburn Tigers: "Transition defense will be a key against them. Long shots equal long rebounds. We've got to make sure we get long rebounds against them. I really believe in containing the ball, trying to guard their ball screens." Tulsa faces the Auburn Tigers in the second round of the NIT Friday March 20th. Tip-off is scheduled for 7pm CST at the Beard-Eaves-Memorial Coliseum in Auburn.
Tickets can be purchased from the Auburn ticket office at the link below. Reserved seats are $15, general admission $10.
Buy Tickets for the Tulsa at Auburn NIT Game
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