Sooners Get One Back

No, Noooooo, Yessss! Those were the words that came out of my mouth as Terrell Everett launched a three point shot with 6.1 seconds left at College Station on Saturday. Everett made the shot and and put OU up 45-44 which was the final score.

The Reed Center was rockin but the Sooners still came a knockin. Coming in on a two game losing streak and talk stirring of another disapointing OU basketball season the Sooners had more than just the game riding on that Terrell Everett shot, perhaps the season.

Taj Gray added 13 points for the Sooners, who beat A&M for the 13th straight time and 24th in 25 meetings.

They shot only 41 percent (16-of-39) and were outrebounded 31-29 - just the second time this season Oklahoma has been beaten on the boards - but still stole a critical victory leading into a seven-day break before their next game.

``This was really important,'' Oklahoma coach Kelvin Sampson said. ``We could be 0-3, if Terrell doesn't hit that shot. But we could easily be 3-0, too. It was good to win this game and have a week off.''

Facing a student section that would rival any in the conference the Sooners struggled to make free throws in the first half. Those free throws, if made, would have altered the game and given OU a slight point advantage, putting the pressure on A&M instead of OU.

Pressure hasn’t been good for the Sooners in conference play until Saturday afternoon. In the conference opening loss to Nebraska Terrell Everett had a last second lay-up skip across the rim. In Tuesday night’s loss to Mizzouri Everett’s half-court prayer bounced off the backboard. Now you know why my first reaction was to scream, “Noooo” when Everett launched the three and you can understand my joy when he made.

That shot was clutch and to this point conference play “clutch” has not described the Sooners. Maybe just maybe this will give this team a boost of confidence and help them right the ship. With Kansas and Missouri getting upset OU is not out of it yet!

``It just felt good shooting the ball,'' Everett said.

photos from soonersports.com