Sooners Hold Off Texas Tech For Second Straight Conference Win

OU shot less than 40 percent from the field, but picked up a 64-55 win against the Red Raiders.

Tuesday, January 17th 2012, 10:25 pm

By: News 9


News9.com

NORMAN, Oklahoma – The Sooners' 65-57 victory against the Red Raiders on Tuesday at the Lloyd Noble Center wasn't about hot shooting or perfect execution.

Instead, it was about scrappiness, weathering a rough game and winning the hard way.

For example, with 8:35 remaining in the game and leading by six points, the Sooners hit a stretch of five minutes without a single field goal.

While that would spell disaster for most teams, OU still managed to hold a one-point lead at the end of it.

From that point on, it was as if someone lit a bit of a fire under the Sooners as they outscored Texas Tech 16-8 over the final 3:36 of the game.

The Sooners shot just 39 percent in the game but stayed in command for the majority of it thanks to defensive effort and forcing turnovers.

The Red Raiders shot just 33 percent from the floor and turned the ball over 20 times.

The two teams traded buckets for most of the first half before a Romero Osby layup at the 6:14 mark sparked a 13-4 run, giving the Sooners a more comfortable 29-22 lead at the break.

The Red Raiders tried to chip away at the lead unsuccessfully throughout the half until Steven Pledger's layup at the 8:35 mark was the last bucket before the five-minute field goal-less stretch that allowed Tech to cut the lead to one.

Oklahoma began to pound the ball inside to Osby at the end of the game, and the Tech defense was unable to contain him.

Osby scored 11 points in the final 3:36 – all coming right around the rim or at the free throw line – to help the Sooners seal the game.

He finished with 15 points, eight rebounds and five blocks to help OU to the win. Steven Pledger led the Sooners in scoring with 17 and also hit their only 3-pointer of the game (they finished 1-of-11).

Andrew Fitzgerald had 13 points and Cameron Clark added 10 off the bench.

Just two Red Raider players were able to get into double figures as Jaye Crockett had 16 and Javarez Willis had 14. No other Tech player scored more than seven.

Oklahoma has won two straight after starting conference play 0-3. It will take on Texas A&M on the road on Saturday, with tipoff set for 3 p.m.

logo

Get The Daily Update!

Be among the first to get breaking news, weather, and general news updates from News on 6 delivered right to your inbox!

More Like This

January 17th, 2012

March 14th, 2024

December 4th, 2023

September 25th, 2023

Top Headlines

March 28th, 2024

March 28th, 2024

March 28th, 2024

March 28th, 2024