Justin Hurtt scored 24 points and Steven Idlet powered inside for 16 points and nine rebounds as Tulsa held off Tulane 66-59 on Saturday night.
Tulsa led 63-52 with 3:41 to play but turned the ball over four times against a frantic Tulane press and was fortunate that Joe Richard, a 53 percent free throw shooter, made one of two with 22.7 seconds left to make it 64-59.
Tulsa (16-12, 9-5 Conference USA) is tied with UTEP, Memphis and Southern Mississippi one game behind UAB (10-4) with two conference games remaining.
Kendall Timmons scored 27 for the Green Wave (12-15, 2-12). Jordan Callahan added 15 and Johnny Mayhane 13.
Scottie Haralson, Tulsa's third-leading scorer at 11.4 ppg, made his first basket in three games, a 3-pointer early in the second half that gave Tulsa a 42-34 lead. His second 3-pointer gave the Hurricane a 60-47 advantage with 8:59 left.
