Close Encounter for the Third Time

OU won their third straight game Saturday by one point which I guess is better than losing their third straight. The 71-70 win over Kansas State (same score they beat Texas Tech by on Monday night) put the Sooners at 19-6 for the season and 10-4 in conference.

"We're playing good enough to win, and that's a great attribute to have," Oklahoma coach Kelvin Sampson said. "Our kids know how to win games."

Taj Gray was the man of the day scoring 23 points, including the go-ahead basket with 1:15 to play and Terrell Everett added a double-double with 12 points and 10 assists.

After Gray hit a turnaround jumper from to give Oklahoma a 71-70 lead with 1:15 left Kansas State still had a few chances to win the game.

Kevin Bookout blocked David Hoskins' shot in the lane to give the Sooners the ball back in the final minute. Then Terrell Everett let the clock run down before pushing into the lane and missing a difficult left-hander with about 20 seconds left. That set up the Wildcats for the final possession.

Akeem Wright took the inbounds pass with 10.6 seconds left and dribbled upcourt before passing to David Hoskins in the lane. Hoskins' turnaround shot fell into Dramane Diarra's hands, but he was unable to score against Bookout as the buzzer sounded.

"That's nuts," said Bookout. "I don't think I've ever played in three games back-to-back-to-back where it's been one point like this. I don't know. It's weird."

Michael Neal joined Gray and Everett in double figure scoring with 15 points but shot only 3-9 from beyond the three point line. Saturdays win was OU’s 8th in a row against the Wildcats. It also locks up a top four finish for the Sooners and guarantees a first round bye in the conference tournament.

My Player of the Game

Taj Gray
23 points
4 rebounds
3 blocks
1 steal

Big 12 Men's Basketball Standings
Texas 12-2 24-4
Kansas 11-3 20-7
Oklahoma 10-4 19-6
Colorado 8-6 18-7
Texas A&M 8-6 18-7
Nebraska 7-7 17-10
Texas Tech 6-8 14-14
Kansas State 5-9 14-11
Iowa State 5-9 15-12
Oklahoma State 5-9 15-13
Missouri 4-10 11-14
Baylor 3-11 3-11