Gray Propels Sooners to Second Exhibition Win

NORMAN, Okla. Taj Gray revealed why he was the unanimous choice for Big 12 Preseason Newcomer of the Year.

Gray scored 21 points and was electrifying as the Oklahoma Sooners led all the way, defeating the Division II Central Oklahoma Bronchos, 95-71, Saturday afternoon inside Lloyd Noble Center.

“We played better and made a lot of improvement from the last game,” OU head coach Kelvin Sampson said. “You have to remember that they're still young. The errors we're making are coachable and we're able to correct them.”

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Gray, a junior college transfer from Redlands (Okla.) Community College, was nearly perfect in the first half, shooting 4-for-4 from the field and the free throw line as the Sooners took a 42-32 lead into halftime.

“I came out a lot more relaxed today,” Gray said. “I was so much more comfortable with everything that was going on.”

The 6-9 forward also played aggressive defense in his 19 minutes on the court, blocking three UCO shots.

“Our inside game is going to be pretty good,” Sampson said. “We've got a lot of guys that can do some things and we're getting better.”

Senior Johnnie Gilbert and junior Kevin Bookout helped rejuvenate OU's inside game as each scored 14 points. The Sooners scored 42 points in the paint and limited UCO to just 26. Fifty-nine of OU's points were scored by its big men.

“Taj and I complement each other really well down low,” Bookout said. “They can't double us because it would leave one of us wide open.”

The Sooners had five players score in double figures.

Junior transfer Terrell Everett exhibited his ability to control the Sooner offense. Everett had nine points, a game-high eight assists and manned the charity stripe as the game closed, making 7-of-9. He ran the point when Drew Lavender wasn't in the game.

Freshman center Longar Longar was very impressive in his 12 minutes on the court. Longar, 4-of-5 from the field, scored 10 points and picked up five rebounds.

“(Longar) is going to be good,” Sampson said. “His motor is always running and he desperately wants to compete.”

Senior Jaison Williams scored eight points, made four assists and had a game-high four steals.

“(Jaison) came back and practiced a lot better,” Sampson said. “That's why I don't know who our starters are going to be.”

Lavender scored 10 points and racked up five assists while only turning the ball over twice.

The Sooners have now won 33 of their last 35 exhibition games, improving their record under Coach Sampson to 20-2 in such contests.

Oklahoma opens its regular season at home against Cal State-Northridge Saturday, Nov. 20, at 4 p.m.

University of Oklahoma Athletics

Gray Propels Sooners to Second Exhibition Win

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