OU's New Lineup Gets Test in Hostile Environment

NORMAN, Okla. -- Oklahoma's new lineup gets a chance to prove itself in a hostile environment.

The 21st-ranked Sooners try to end a three-game road losing streak when they take on Big 12 rival Kansas State at Bramlage Coliseum on Saturday.

Unhappy with his guard play, Oklahoma coach Kelvin Sampson benched Drew Lavender and Jaison Williams in favor of Lawrence McKenzie and David Godbold. The moves helped the Sooners (18-6, 7-4) post an easy 83-60 win over Nebraska on Wednesday, ending a three-game overall skid.

``Our starting lineup provided a lot of energy,'' Sampson said. ``Godbold has been coming along really well and I wasn't satisfied with the energy our previous lineup played with.''

Lavender, who had started the first 53 games of his career, came up with 10 points and a career-high five steals in 21 minutes off the bench. The 5-foot-7 guard managed to score a total of only nine points in the Sooners' two previous games.

``I thought Drew Lavender really responded well off the bench,'' Sampson said. ``Hopefully the changes made us more aggressive.''

Sampson's lineup changes produced mixed results. Williams, who averages 7.7 points, came up with 10 off the bench to reach double figures for the first time since Dec. 28.

McKenzie and Godbold each managed only four points on 1-of-6 shooting.

The Sooners turned in an improved effort on the defensive end, however. Oklahoma registered a season-high 17 steals and scored 37 points off 26 turnovers.

``I think that's how we like to play,'' Oklahoma forward Johnnie Gilbert said. ``That really gets us excited, putting pressure on the ball and getting turnovers.''

Oklahoma is still having trouble getting second-leading scorer Kevin Bookout untracked. Bookout, putting up 13.7 points and 7.3 rebounds in Big 12 play, has averaged only 8.0 points and 4.2 boards over his last five games.

Kansas State (13-9, 3-8) has dropped a season-high five straight games. The Wildcats finished with their lowest point total in more than four years in a 57-42 loss at Iowa State on Tuesday.

``I'd be lying to you if I said I wasn't extremely disappointed in the statement that game made,'' Kansas State coach Jim Wooldridge said. ``I obviously was hoping we would come in here and play better and give ourselves a chance. We just did not get that done.''

Forward Cartier Martin has had problems finding his stroke since cutting the index finger on his shooting hand Jan. 30 while cooking in his apartment. Martin, shooting 43.5 percent on 3-pointers this season, is 1-for-15 from the 3-point arc during the losing streak.

Kansas State is averaging 59.2 points and shooting 37.4 percent over the last five games.

Oklahoma has won six straight against Kansas State, posting a 61-49 win in Norman, Okla. last season.

The Wildcats have lost in overtime in the Sooners' last two visits to Manhattan, Kan.