Taplan leads second-half surge as Tulsa wins 73-56

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TULSA, Okla. (AP) — Sterling Taplan scored 12 of his 16 points in the second half when Tulsa pulled away to beat Alcorn State 73-56 in a season opener Tuesday night.

Elijah Joiner made 8 of 9 free throws and added 11 points for the Golden Hurricane.

Tulsa led by three at halftime and used a 7-0 run to go up 51-41 with just under 11 minutes remaining. The Braves made a charge at the Golden Hurricane on two free throws from Alonzo Campbell and a 3-pointer by Jonathan Floyd to get within 53-52 with 8:18 left but Taplan scored four points to cap a 10-0 run for a 63-52 advantage with 5:52 remaining. Alcorn State would only get as close as seven thereafter.

Tulsa made 10 steals and used 19 Braves turnovers to score 24 points while winning the paint scoring 32-11.

Andrews scored 20 points for Alcorn State.