OU Hoops: Sooners runaway with second half to knock off Bobcats
By Joe Buettner
Dec 18, 2012; Norman, OK, USA; Oklahoma Sooners guard Buddy Hield (3) attempts a shot against Stephen F. Austin Lumberjacks guard Hal Bateman (4) during the second half at the Lloyd Noble Center. Mandatory Credit: Mark D. Smith-USA TODAY Sports
| Team Stat Comparison | ||
| Oklahoma (8-3) | Split | Ohio (8-5) |
| 74 | Points | 63 |
| 27-57 (47.4%) | Field Goals (%) | 23-53 (47.2%) |
| 3-12 (25.0%) | 3 PT (%) | 8-26 (30.8%) |
| 17-23 (71.4%) | Free Throws (%) | 5-7 (71.4%) |
| 30 (8) | Rebounds (Off) | 24 (4) |
| 14 | Assists | 16 |
| 12 | Steals | 5 |
| 11 | Turnovers | 18 |
| 13 | Fouls | 19 |
The Ohio Bobcats are no pushover. They made a run in last year’s NCAA tournament and are the favorites to win the MAC this season. However, the Oklahoma Sooners were up for the late Decemeber challenge and would not allow consecutive home losses.
On a cold Saturday night in Norman, the Sooners took down the Bobcats, 74-63. It took Lon Kruger’s squad a half to really get going, but it was well worth the wait.
Ohio got out early on the Sooners, but Oklahoma fought back and made it a competitive first half. Romero Osby really ignited the Sooner offense, and finished with 16 points.
Reggie Keely and D.J. Cooper provided much of the production on offense for Ohio, but the Sooners kept it a tight ball game and went in halftime with a 29-29 ball game.
Coming out of the locker room, the Sooners really turned it on against the Bobcats. Stephen Pledger, who had a game-high 18 points, led an Oklahoma charge in the second half that Ohio could not overcome.
The Sooners could not miss, and led as much by 17 points. Ohio was within four points at the six minute mark, but a late 9-0 Oklahoma run and a few Je’lon Hornbeak free throws put the game out of reach for the Bobcats.
Ohio’s long trip to Oklahoma ended in a loss, but still it was a quality test for both squads heading in to conference play. Considering the Bobcats’ success last year in March, this should be a good confidence boost for the Sooners who would love to be dancing this season.
If they can shoot the way they did against Ohio, then they should not have a problem. Stephen Pledger and Romero Osby’s consistency has been huge for the team, and Amath M’Baye looked better with a 16 point, 5 rebound performance.
Oklahoma as a team definitely looked good on the defensive end. They forced Ohio to make mistake and really took advantage.
The Sooners struggled from the perimeter, but they did not need to make it pour from beyond the arc. Oklahoma got the job done from mid-range and in the paint, as well as hitting 17-23 free throws.
Oklahoma will look to pick up their ninth win of the season against Texas A&M-Corpus Christi tomorrow inside the historic McCasland Field House. Tip-off is scheduled for 2 p.m., and the University of Oklahoma will have plenty of promotions for the Monday matinee, which will include free posters for those in attendance and “throwback” concession stand prices.