TULSA, Okla. - Jerome Jordan scored 16 points and Ben Uzoh added 13 to help Tulsa beat Northwestern 68-59 in the first round of the NIT on Wednesday night.

Northwestern's Kyle Rowley, right, drives to the basket against Tulsa's Jerome Jordan during the first round of an NIT college basketball tournament in Tulsa, Okla. on Wednesday, March 18, 2009. (AP)

Uzoh hit four free throws in the final 21 seconds as the Golden Hurricane (25-10) survived a late scoring drought to win their first game in the tournament since winning the title in 2001.

Craig Moore and Kevin Coble each scored 17 points to lead Northwestern (17-14), which went 9-for-23 from 3-point range against the nation’s second-best 3-point defense.

Justin Hurtt added 13 points for Tulsa and Ray Reese had 12 points, eight rebounds and seven assists.

After making just two of 13 3-point shots in the first half, Tulsa made its first two of the second half and four consecutive baskets out of the break to turn a 30-28 deficit into a 44-34 lead.

Tulsa led 60-49 on a layup by Glenn Andrews with 7:25 left, but Moore hit two 3-pointers for Northwestern and Michael Thompson scored inside to cut the deficit to 60-57 with 2:02 left as Tulsa went cold.

Moore missed a 3-pointer that could have tied the game, then Uzoh was fouled and made two free throws with 21 seconds left to push the lead to 64-59.

Tulsa’s NIT appearance is its first since 2001, when the Golden Hurricane won the tournament for the second time. Tulsa also won the NIT in 1981.

Northwestern ended a 10-year postseason drought.