Sooners Tame Tigers At Buzzer, 63-61

Feb. 19, 2001

By R.B. FALLSTROM
AP Sports Writer

COLUMBIA, Mo. - The only Oklahoma starter not averaging in double figures made the last-second shot that beat Missouri.

Jameel Heywood, averaging 3.6 points, scored on a follow shot at the buzzer in the 16th-ranked Sooners' 63-61 victory Monday night.

"I just went after the rebound and got it and shot it, and I was lucky and it went in," said Heywood, who had nine points. "Definitely, this is my biggest shot."

Heywood followed up Nolan Johnson's miss and scored from the lane for Oklahoma (21-5, 10-4 Big 12).

The Sooners have beaten Missouri (17-8, 8-4) six straight times and ended the Tigers' 13-game winning streak at the Hearnes Center, dating to the final game of last season.

The outcome was briefly in doubt although Oklahoma players swarmed a TV cameraman to celebrate. Referee Tom Rucker's call that the basket was good was emphatic, and officials certified the victory after checking the replay monitor.

Oklahoma coach Kelvin Sampson said he believed there was two-tenths of a second remaining when the ball left Heywood's hands.

"I thought it was good, I absolutely did," Sampson said. "That red light behind the backboard, that ball was in flight when the light went on. That's why I had confidence."

Missouri coach Quin Snyder wasn't arguing the call.

"I told our guys to be upset, but don't be upset with the tip-in," Snyder said. "Be upset with all the little things we didn't do during the game."

In the final sequence, Sampson wanted Johnson, the Big 12's leading free-throw shooter entering the game, to try and draw a foul.

"Jameel was at the right place at the right time," Sampson said. "But you know what, he's made that shot this whole conference season."

Wesley Stokes had tied it for Missouri with a runner from the baseline with 17.5 seconds to go. Missouri led 30-24 at the half, but shot just 29 percent the rest of the way.

"I think when teams are physical, they force you to miss inside," Snyder said. "It's a lot of stuff right at the basket. It puts a lot of pressure on your defense."

J.R. Raymond had 13 points and Hollis Price 12 for Oklahoma, which has won nine of 10 overall after a 1-3 start in conference play. This was the final road conference game for the Sooners.

Heywood had nine points on 4-for-5 shooting.

Reserve Clarence Gilbert scored 16 points for Missouri, but was only 5-for-19.

"I had a lot of good looks," Gilbert said. "Some rolled in, some rolled out."

Arthur Johnson added 10 points and eight rebounds, and Brian Grawer had 10 points.

Missouri fell to 2-5 against ranked teams, with two of the losses in overtime.

An unlikely source of offense, reserve Johnnie Parker, helped Missouri take a 30-24 halftime lead. Parker, who's averaging 1.6 points and had a previous season high of five points, outscored Oklahoma 6-4 the last 4:41 of the half.

Oklahoma, averaging about 12 turnovers per game, committed 10 in the half.

University of Oklahoma Athletics

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