Woodard scores 19, leads Tulsa over East Carolina 69-58

TULSA, Okla. (AP) James Woodard scored 19 points to help Tulsa roll to a 69-58 victory over East Carolina on Wednesday night.

Tulsa (18-7, 11-2 American) bounced back after consecutive losses to conference leader SMU, and UConn to pull within a half-game back of the No. 21 Mustangs (21-5, 12-2).

Woodard had 11 points in the first half as the Golden Hurricane built a 35-19 halftime lead and coasted from there, leading by as many as 21 points midway through the second half. Brandon Swannegan scored 16 points and Shaquille Harrison added 12 with eight rebounds and six assists for Tulsa, which shot 51 percent from the floor.

Terry Whisnant scored 15 points, Caleb White had 14 and B.J. Tyson chipped in 13 for the Pirates (11-15, 4-9), who have lost two straight and shot just 20 of 57 for 35 percent overall.