Recent News | Popular News | Photo Gallery | Subscribe

For more on this game, see the Postgame Stats

TULSA, Okla.(AP) Ben Uzoh scored 12 of his 15 points in the second half as Tulsa broke open a close game to beat UCF 71-53 on Saturday night.

The Golden Hurricane trailed by three before Glenn Andrews scored on a fast-break layup to spark a 23-5 run that Jerome Jordan finished with a dunk to give Tulsa a 53-38 lead. Brett McDade had a pair of 3-pointers during the surge, including a 30-footer that barely beat the shot clock buzzer.

The lead reached as much as 20 on Ray Reese's two free throws that made it 63-43.

McDade added 13 points, including three 3-pointers, Jordan had 12 points and nine rebounds and Reese scored 10 for Tulsa (17-12, 8-8 Conference USA), which will be the eighth seed in the conference tournament.

Dave Noel led Central Florida with 17 points and Jermaine Taylor added 12 on 5-for-21 shooting, including 2-for-10 from 3-point range. Taylor had been averaging 21 points to rank fourth in Conference USA.

The Golden Knights (16-14, 9-7), who will be the fourth seed in the Conference USA tournament, played without second-leading scorer Mike O'Donnell, who broke his foot in practice Friday.

After shooting 33 percent in the first half, Tulsa went 14-for-21 after halftime for a 67 percent mark. The Golden Hurricane outrebounded UCF 40-31 to overcome 20 turnovers.