No. 6 Sooners Stop No. 9 Oklahoma State, 58-53

Jan 30, 2002

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By OWEN CANFIELD
AP Sports Writer

NORMAN, Okla. (AP) - No. 6 Oklahoma got big plays from Hollis Price and Aaron McGhee and a return to form on defense to hold off No. 9 Oklahoma State.

Four days after giving up 92 points in a loss at Texas Tech, the Sooners held Oklahoma State to 41 percent shooting in a 58-53 victory Wednesday night. It was Oklahoma State's lowest point total this season.

Price scored 17 points, six over the final 5:38 when the Sooners (16-3, 5-2 Big 12) had to hang on. McGhee had 10 points and 11 rebounds and he had four big points and grabbed two key offensive rebounds down the stretch.

"He played beyond his stats," coach Kelvin Sampson said of McGhee. "Hollis was a leader for us out on the floor tonight. He looked like a first-team All-American and did what leaders do."

Oklahoma State (17-4, 4-4) got a career-high 14 points from junior college transfer Cheyne Gadson, who helped carry the Cowboys back from a 16-point deficit. But leading scorer Maurice Baker had just six, 10 below his average.

The Cowboys made only three field goals in the first 15 minutes in falling behind 23-11. They also committed nine of their 13 turnovers during that time. The Cowboys struggled in the halfcourt, shot just 33 percent and scored 17 points.

"The first half we were really stagnant," coach Eddie Sutton said. "I was pleased with the way we competed in the second half. When you get down on the road like were down against a very, very good basketball team, you can fold real easily."

Oklahoma State trailed by 12 points at halftime. Then Gadson had two 3-pointers as the Cowboys started the second half with a 17-8 run that got them within 37-34.

It was 41-35 when Oklahoma State got baskets from Baker, Gadson and Fredrik Jonzen to tie it. When Baker made two free throws at the 5:47 mark, the Cowboys led 47-46, their first lead since 4-2.

They led again at 49-48 before Daryan Selvy made a baseline jumper, Price made a free throw and McGhee grabbed an offensive rebound and scored to give Oklahoma a 53-49 lead.

After Victor Williams made two free throws, Price spun away from Baker for a jumper in the lane that again pushed the lead to four.

Williams made it 55-53 with two free throws with 36 seconds remaining, then McGhee made two of his own six seconds later after grabbing another offensive rebound.

"The last few minutes of the game were intense," McGhee said. "We knew every shot, every rebound, everything was just crucial. I wanted to do whatever I could to help us win this game."

Gadson missed two free throws with 23 seconds remaining and Baker got the rebound, but he missed a 3-point try. Price then went 1-of-2 from the line for the final margin.

"I thought our kids played tremendous defense and we faced adversity in the second half, but we bounced back to hold on," Sampson said. "I think we did a lot of good things down the stretch."

OU's victory over Oklahoma State means the Sooners tied the Bank of Oklahoma Bedlam Series presented by Your Oklahoma Ford Dealers. This year's series now stands at 4-4. Thus far during the 2001-02 series, OU has posted a victory in soccer, two in women's basketball and one in men's basketball. Meanwhile, OSU prevailed in cross country, football and wrestling. OSU earned two points for the football victory.

This is the second year for Bank of Oklahoma to be the title sponsor and Your Oklahoma Ford Dealers to be the presenting sponsor of the Bedlam Series. The Sooners and Cowboys annually meet head-to-head in eight sports. The series winner in each of these sports is awarded the Bank of Oklahoma Bedlam Bell traveling trophy. At the end of the year, an overall winner is announced.

University of Oklahoma Athletics

No. 6 Sooners Stop No. 9 Oklahoma State, 58-53

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