No. 19 Oklahoma 83, Tulane 69

HILO, Hawaii (AP) _ Kelvin Sampson has a warning for the rest of the Big 12 Conference: The Oklahoma Sooners are going to be a force. <br><br>The Sooners are improving and their performance in the Big

Sunday, November 26th 2000, 12:00 am

By: News On 6

HILO, Hawaii (AP) _ Kelvin Sampson has a warning for the rest of the Big 12 Conference: The Oklahoma Sooners are going to be a force.

The Sooners are improving and their performance in the Big Island Invitational Tournament gave their coach a reason to be optimistic.

The No. 19 Sooners made it two straight in convincing fashion Saturday night, dismantling Tulane, 83-69, behind a 30-point performance by Hollis Price. Oklahoma (4-0) advanced to Sunday's title game.

``Our goal is get the kids ready for the conference,'' Sampson said. ``When we get there, we're going to be a pretty good team when the conference comes around. We're not there yet.''

Against the Green Wave, the Sooners were impressive on both ends of the court. They made 31 field goals _ including 10 from 3-point range _ and forced 29 turnovers.

``Our defense was good,'' Sampson said. ``We got a lot of baskets off the 29 turnovers.''

Tulane Coach Shawn Finney didn't dispute Sampson's assessment.

``They did a good job of forcing turnovers and scoring off them,'' Finney said. ``They were a big difference in the game.''

Of Price, whom he described as the Sooners' catalyst, he said, ``He's one of the best I've seen. He's quick inside and out. He really pushes the ball.''

With scoring mate Aaron McGhee in foul trouble, Price took over. He also dished out six assists.

McGhee, who scored 32 points in the tournament opener, finished with six points.

``Aaron was never in the game,'' Sampson said of his high-scoring big man. ``The sheet shows he played 25 minutes, but it was more like 14 because of the fouls.''

In the game, J.R. Raymond, Price and Tim Heskett hit 3-pointers in a 90-second span as Oklahoma opened a double-figure lead early in the first half and never looked back.

The Sooners led by 12 at the half. Oklahoma used a 17-4 run early in the second half, highlighted by six points each by Price and Nolan Johnson, for a 20-point advantage.

Tulane got no closer than 13 the rest of the way.

Brandon Spann was 12-for-12 from the line and finished with 20 points for Tulane. Ledraryl Billingsley and Linton Johnson added 16.