National Basketball Association
BOXSCORE | RECAP
Oklahoma 83, Northwestern St. 63
When: 3:00 PM ET, Saturday, December 31, 2011
Where: Lloyd Noble Center, Norman, Oklahoma
Officials: # Kevin Mathis, # Terry Moore, # Bert Smith
Attendance: 8532

Steven Pledger and Romero Osby each scored 18 points to help Oklahoma to an 83-63 win over pesky Northwestern State on Saturday.

It looked like Oklahoma was going to run away with the game, as the Sooners took a 40-29 halftime lead. But Northwestern State battled back to draw to within a basket at 48-46 when Roberson made a 3-pointer with 12:30 left. The Demons got no closer, with the Sooners answering with 12 straight points to regain control.

Oklahoma, coming off a loss at Cincinnati, had four players in double figures as it won its final non-conference game before opening Big 12 play at Missouri on Jan. 3. Andrew Fitzgerald added 14 points and Sam Grooms scored 11 for the Sooners (10-2). Cameron Clark had a game-high nine rebounds.

Northwestern State (7-7) also had four players in double figures, led by James Hulbin with 18. Shamir Davis added 13 points and five rebounds, Gary Roberson had 11 points and six rebounds and William Mosley had 10 points and five rebounds.
Top Game Performances
 
Northwestern St.   Oklahoma
James Hulbin 18 Scoring Romero Osby 18
Shamir Davis 4 Assists Carl Blair Jr. 6
Gary Roberson 6 Rebounds Cameron Clark 9
Shamir Davis 5 Free Throws Made Andrew Fitzgerald 4
Louis Ellis 3 Steals C.J. Washington 3
William Mosley 2 Blocks C.J. Washington 3
Team Stats Summary
 
Team Points FG% 3PM-3PA FTM-FTA Assists Rebounds Blocks Steals Turnovers
Northwestern St. 63 36.7 6-24 13-19 11 24 3 7 17
Oklahoma 83 56.4 3-5 18-22 17 33 7 5 18