TULSA, Okla., April 5 (UPI) -- Rod Earls hit a key three-pointer down the stretch Friday and Tulsa fought off Bradley 70-64 to win the inaugural College Basketball Invitational.
The tournament employed a best-of-three series to determine the champion and it went the distance with Tulsa winning the deciding game thanks in part to 14 points from Earls.
Ben Uzoh scored 17 for the Golden Hurricane (25-14) and Calvin Walls added 14.
Bradley (21-17) was led by Theron Wilson with 17.
After trailing by six at halftime, Tulsa began the second period with a 14-5 run. Bradley had a two-point lead when Earls hit his three-pointer to put Tulsa in front for good with 2:24 remaining.
Two free throws by Earls with 45 seconds left gave Tulsa a four-point cushion. All three games in the series were won by the home team.
