Sooners Meet Tech in Big 12 Semifinals

KANSAS CITY -- Oklahoma is on the verge of another trip to the Big 12 tournament title game.

The 17th-ranked Sooners can advance to the championship for the fourth time in five years when they meet Texas Tech in the semifinals at Kemper Arena on Saturday.

Oklahoma (24-6) used a balanced attack for its seventh straight win, 83-79 over Missouri in the quarterfinals Friday. Terrell Everett's 18 points led five Sooners in double figures.

``We have about seven guys that are capable of scoring in double figures,'' Oklahoma coach Kelvin Sampson said. ``That is the way it is designed.''

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The top-seeded Sooners improved to 11-1 in the Big 12 tournament over the last five years. They won three straight crowns from 2001-03 before losing to Texas in last year's quarterfinals.

Oklahoma began its winning streak when Everett and David Godbold were inserted into the starting lineup on Feb. 16. Everett is averaging 15.4 points over the seven-game run.

2005 Phillips 66 Big 12 Conference Men's Basketball Tournament

``Terrell can shoot and score. Those guys are tough to defend,'' Sampson said. ``Plus, he's a baller. Terrell just balls.''

The Sooners improved their chances of being placed in Oklahoma City for the first two games of the NCAA tournament. Oklahoma and No. 10 Oklahoma State both appear in contention to remain in the state.

Texas Tech (19-9) advanced to the semifinals for the fourth straight year with a 64-56 win over Iowa State. The Red Raiders closed the game on a 22-6 run, forcing three big turnovers in the final minute.

The Red Raiders and Sooners split two meetings this season. Texas Tech posted an 88-81 win on Feb. 5 and Oklahoma returned the favor with a 74-54 road win last Saturday in the regular-season finale for both teams.

``We have to play better,'' Texas Tech coach Bob Knight said. ``I mean Oklahoma had to play better against us in Lubbock than they did in Norman. We have to play better against them than we did in Lubbock. If we don't, Oklahoma wins.''

One difference between the two games was the guard play of Texas Tech. The starting backcourt of Ronald Ross and Jarrius Jackson combined for 46 points in the Red Raiders' win while managing only 21 in last week's loss.

Ross is averaging 19 points over the last eight games for the Red Raiders, who have never advanced to the title game.

``We know Oklahoma is one of the best teams in the country,'' Ross said. ``They are an extremely good team.''

The Sooners have outrebounded the Red Raiders by an average of 9.5 boards in the two matchups. Big 12 newcomer of the year Taj Gray led the way for Oklahoma by pulling down 20 rebounds.

Oklahoma forward Kevin Bookout is showing signs of life by averaging 12.5 points and 10 rebounds in his last two games. Bookout had struggled to average 7.2 points and 4.5 boards in his previous six contests.

The Sooners have won 12 of the last 16 meetings with the Red Raiders.

University of Oklahoma Athletics

Sooners Meet Tech in Big 12 Semifinals

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