TULSA, Okla. (AP) Seneca Collins scored a career-high 26 points giving Tulsa a 63-54 victory over Northwestern State on Sunday.
Tulsa forced Northwestern State into 25 percent shooting, helping overcome its own dreadful second-half marksmanship, hitting just 3-of-24 shots taken, 12.5 percent.
Tulsa (1-1) played a strong first half and lead 40-19 after limiting the Demons to 15.2 percent (5-33) shooting.
Northwestern State came out with an aggressive press in the second half and TU struggled throughout, making 13 of its 21 turnovers in addition to the poor shooting.
But the Hurricane made 16 of 25 second-half free throws to keep the Demons at bay.
The Demons had closed the margin to 49-40 before Collins scored Tulsa's first second-half basket on a mid-range jumper with 6:44 left in the game. Collins added a 3-pointer from the right corner to push the margin to 55-40. Northwestern State continued to force turnovers and whittled the margin to 61-54 with 24.5 seconds to play.
Tulsa finished 17-for-50 (34 percent) from the field, tying a Reynold's Center record for fewest field goals set in 2000 against San Jose State. Tulsa also had 21 turnovers.
Collins saved Tulsa by going 7-for-13 from the field, including 5-of-10 on 3-pointers. He also had five rebounds and three steals. Jarius Glenn had nine points and 14 rebounds as Tulsa outrebounded Northwestern State 48-43.
Kerwin Forges topped the Demons (0-2) with 12 points.
