Sooners Open Season with 20-Point Win

The University of Oklahoma Men’s basketball team opened its season facing Coppin State Friday.

Thursday, May 26th 2011, 12:02 pm

By: News On 6

Originally Published: Nov 13, 2010 11:48 AM CDT

Oklahoma Sports Staff and Wire Reports

NORMAN, Oklahoma -- Andrew Fitzgerald scored 22 points and Oklahoma beat Coppin State 77-57 Friday in the season opener for both teams.

Fitzgerald scored 15 points in the second half and finished 8-for-13 from the field. Steven Pledger added 13 points, and Cameron Clark led the Sooners with 11 rebounds.

“I liked the way we won tonight,” head coach Jeff Capel said. “I thought we were very together throughout the whole game.”

The Sooners’ first game did however show Capel areas the team can improve on.

“We have to get better rebounding the basketball,” Capel said. “We’re pleased with the win. We know we have a long way to go, a lot of work to do, but it feels good to play well.”

Michael Harper led Coppin State with 18 points. The Eagles trailed 36-27 at halftime and made only three of their first 15 shots in the second half, allowing the Sooners to build a 50-34 lead with just over 10 minutes to go.

Oklahoma shot 51 percent while limiting Coppin State to just 34 percent.

Oklahoma's youth showed at times as six players made their debut for the Sooners, including four freshmen. Among the newcomers was junior college transfer Nick Thompson. The 6-foot-9 forward showed an ability to distribute the ball from the post, dishing out seven assists.

The Sooners kept their turnovers low, finishing with 10.

Coppin State kept the game close early with good transition defense also limited its own turnovers with four at the half and eight for the game.

Fitzgerald and Thompson helped Oklahoma control the post, especially in the second half when the Sooners outscored the Eagles in the paint 12-6.