Sooners’ Youth Leads Team Past Baylor

Oklahoma was led by underclassmen as the Sooners notched their fourth-straight Big 12 win with a 73-66 victory over Baylor.

Thursday, May 26th 2011, 12:11 pm

By: News On 6

Originally Published: Feb 2, 2011 5:15 PM CDT

Stephany Speck
Oklahoma Sports Staff Writer

NORMAN, Oklahoma -- The Sooners were led by three underclassmen to beat the Baylor Bears in Lloyd Noble Center, 73-66.

Baylor’s LaceDarius Dunn crouched over, burying his head in his hands after turning the ball over with just 18 seconds left on the clock. Carl Blair had just sank two free throws, putting the score 71-66 and giving the Bears a chance, however slim, to put the game in overtime.

Dunn got the ball on an inbound pass and took off down court. With pressure from the Sooners, Dunn mis-dribbled, bouncing the ball off his own foot and relinquishing possession to OU.

Blair got the ball on an in-bounds pass and was fouled within moments. He made both free throws, sealing the win for the Sooners, which marked their fourth-straight conference win.

Blair, along with freshman Cameron Clark and sophomore Steven Pledger, showed Sooner fans what’s in store for the team in the coming years. It may have been a rebuilding year, but the youth showed their growth against the Bears.

OU was led by freshman Clark, who put up the Sooners’ first seven points and finished the first half with 15 points. He ended the game with 25 points, seven rebounds, two assists and two steals. Blair ended the game with 19 points, five rebounds and seven assists.

Pledger added 10 points and six assists. While the underclassmen brought a spark to the Sooners, Cade Davis provided great defense for his team, racking up seven rebounds.

The Sooners struggled to get their offense going, playing from behind in the first half. They were outscored by the Bears 20-10 in the paint, with Davis and Pledger combining for only three points by halftime.

Clark’s double-digit first half not only helped keep Oklahoma in the game, but his long 3-pointer in the first seconds of the second half helped get the Sooners to a fast start.

The game was tied three times, including at 50 after Pledger drained a 3 with 13 minutes left in the game. The Sooners maintained a lead for the rest of the game.

The Bears’ Perry Jones III finished with 19 points and seven rebounds, while Anthony Jones added 16 points and six points. Dunn ended the game with 15 points and two steals.