Postgame Notes

Nov. 12, 2001

Quotes

Oklahoma vs Central Connecticut State
Lloyd Noble Center - Norman, Okla.

Tonight's 66-44 win marked OU's 16th season-opening win in its last 17 opening nights. The Sooners have now won 22 of their last 23 home season openers, and Kelvin Sampson is now 8-0 in season-opening games.

Oklahoma is making its fourth appearance in the Preseason NIT and 10th overall NIT, including six postseason NIT events. With tonight's win, OU is 4-3 in games played in the preseason tournament, last competing during the 1995-96 season.

Oklahoma had a starting five that consisted of guards Hollis Price, Quannas White and Ebi Ere, forward Aaron McGhee and center Jozsef Szendrei.

CCSU broke into double digits at the 7:57 mark of the first half, after more than 12 minutes of play.

OU stingy defensive play from the exhibition slate carried over to the regular season, as the Sooners forced 11 turnovers and held the Blue Devils to .368 shooting in the opening stanza. Oklahoma enjoyed a 29-23 halftime lead.

OU guard Hollis Price scored six points in the first half, however he finished with 20 points on a career high 6-for-10 shooting night from three-point range. Oklahoma's season-high for three pointers made in a game during the 2000-2001 season was Kelley Newton's eight versus Coppin State on Dec. 16, 2000.

Price's 20 points led all scorers. He led the team in scoring five times last season. He added a game-high five assists in tonight's contest.

Ere continued his trend of slow first halves, followed by explosive second halves. In both exhibition games, he scored two points in the first half. He ended those games with 19 and 13 points, respectively. In tonight's game, he again scored just two first-half points and finished with 11 points.

OU trailed 31-29 at the 16:48 mark of the second half, however went on a 37-13 run to finish the game with the victory.

OU forced 22 CCSU turnovers while committing just 11.

Oklahoma was a perfect 7-for-7 from the free throw line in tonight's game.

Central Connecticut State was paced by Corsley Edwards' 16 points and nine rebounds.

Oklahoma advances to the second round of the Preseason NIT to play at Michigan State on Wednesday night at 8 p.m. CST. The game will be televised by ESPN2. MSU defeated Detroit, 80-70, in East Lansing tonight.

University of Oklahoma Athletics

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