Central Connecticut St.-Oklahoma

(Norman-AP) -- Hollis Price scored 20 points to lead Number 25 Oklahoma past Central Connecticut State 66-to-44 in the first round of the Preseason NIT. <br><br>The Sooners now advance to play Number 15

Tuesday, November 13th 2001, 12:00 am

By: News On 6

(Norman-AP) -- Hollis Price scored 20 points to lead Number 25 Oklahoma past Central Connecticut State 66-to-44 in the first round of the Preseason NIT.

The Sooners now advance to play Number 15 Michigan State in the second round Wednesday. Michigan State beat Detroit 80-to-70 in a first-round game Monday.

Central Connecticut scored the first eight points of the second half to take a 31-to-29 lead. They only trailed 42-to-40 midway through the half.

Then Price and the Sooners took control.

Price made back-to-back 3-pointers to give the Sooners a 48-to-40 lead with 7:48 left. About a minute later, he scored on a backdoor layup. Then he sank another 3 from the top of the key for a 53-to-40 lead with 5:30 left.