Oklahoma 69, Northwestern State 65: Je'lon Hornbeak drilled the go-ahead 3-pointer with just over two minutes to play as host Oklahoma handed Lon Kruger his 500th career coaching victory.
Romero Osby had a team-high 11 points for the Sooners (6-1) despite fouling out after a rough 1-for-8 performance from the field. Steven Pledger and Isaiah Cousins added nine points apiece for Oklahoma, which has posted consecutive victories over Southland Conference foes. The Sooners recorded a 63-62 road triumph over Oral Roberts on Wednesday.
Jalan West had a game-high 13 points, including 10 straight during a second-half stretch as the Demons (3-3) seized a 60-55 advantage with 7:03 remaining.
After three free throws by Shamir Davis gave Northwestern State a 63-57 lead, Oklahoma stepped up the intensity defensively while posting a 9-0 run.
Hornbeak's 3-pointer highlighted the surge to give Oklahoma a 64-63 advantage. Amath M'Baye extended the lead to three with a dunk before Brison White's layup ended the Demons' scoreless streak at 5:07.
GAME NOTEBOOK: Northwestern entered the contest ranked fourth nationally in points per game (88.2). ... Oklahoma won its 36th consecutive non-conference home contest. ... The Sooners have won all four meetings with the Demons. They recorded an 83-63 triumph last year.
Northwestern St. | Oklahoma | |
Jalan West 13 | Scoring | Romero Osby 11 |
DeQuan Hicks 3 | Assists | Isaiah Cousins 4 |
O.J. Evans 5 | Rebounds | Amath M'Baye 8 |
Shamir Davis 6 | Free Throws Made | Romero Osby 9 |
DeQuan Hicks 2 | Steals | Steven Pledger 3 |
Marvin Frazier 3 | Blocks | Amath M'Baye 2 |
Team | Points | FG% | 3PM-3PA | FTM-FTA | Assists | Rebounds | Blocks | Steals | Turnovers |
Northwestern St. | 65 | 37.9 | 6-18 | 15-18 | 6 | 30 | 4 | 5 | 17 |
Oklahoma | 69 | 39.3 | 5-12 | 20-28 | 12 | 36 | 3 | 8 | 13 |