Griffin Leads OU To 61-53 Win Over Kansas State

Associated Press

MANHATTAN, Kan. -- Blake Griffin gets 29 points and 15 rebounds in a rare game against single coverage, helping No. 6 Oklahoma open Big 12 Conference play with a 61-53 win over Kansas State.

Oklahoma (15-1) was 9-7 and won just three road games in the Big 12 last season.

The expectations were a bit higher this season, particularly after the Sooners' best nonconference record since 1987-88, when they went 15-1 on the way to the national championship game.

The Sooners closed a tight first half with a big run and gradually pulled away in the second, building the lead to 57-41 on Griffin's baseline drive with just under four minutes left.