OU Rolls Past UT Arlington, 89-60

NORMAN, Okla. (AP) -- Oklahoma coach Jeff Capel had some key advice for his young team just a few minutes into its non-conference game with Texas-Arlington Saturday night _ follow Michael Neal.

Neal, known for his long-range shooting prowess, helped energize the Sooners early with several key steals and assists. The senior guard eventually added 17 points to the mix as Oklahoma rolled over the Mavericks 89-60.

"Michael came out ready to play tonight," said Capel, whose Sooners improved to 6-3 with the victory. "I told our guys we needed to get behind Michael because it was obvious he was going to be our leader the way he was playing. He was our guy tonight."

Neal scored just two points during the opening half when the Sooners were building a 43-26 advantage. But his first assist set up a Tony Crocker 3-pointer that gave Oklahoma the lead for good with 16:18 left in the half.

Crocker and his teammate took Capels advice to heart and never looked back against the outmanned Mavericks (3-5). Crocker scored 18 points to lead four Sooners in double-figures, including Longar Longar and Austin Johnson who added 16 and 13, respectively.

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Oklahoma dominated the boards by a 48-26 margin, thanks in part to Taylor Griffin, who added career-highs in rebounds (13) and assists (7).

Texas-Arlington (3-5) was led by Brandon Longs career-best 22-point performance. But the Mavericks shot only 37 percent from the field (20 of 54) and committed 19 turnovers against a swarming OU defense.

The Sooners also blocked a season-high eight shots, including a career-high five by Longar.

But it was Neals effort that set the tone and helped pump energy into a scarce holiday crowd of 4,515 at the Lloyd Noble Center.

"Coach Capel talked about sharing the ball and not forcing the issue," said Neal, who finished with six assists and five steals. "We emphasized rebounding and really opportunities on the offensive boards."

The Sooners hauled down 20 offensive rebounds, including four by a determined 6-foot-3 Neal. OUs aggressiveness added up to numerous second-chance baskets.

The Sooners trailed early thanks to the first of Longs six 3-pointers, but the Sooners used a 15-5 run to move in front 20-10. Long, a sophomore, did his best to keep the Mavericks within striking distance, connecting on consecutive treys, the latter cutting the lead to 23-18 with 9:27 left before intermission.

But a 3-point play from Longar and back-to-back buckets by Johnson and Crocker kept the Mavericks on their heels. OU finished the half with a decisive 20-8 run that built the lead to 43-26 at the break.

"We played well tonight. We really came out and got after them," added Capel, the Sooners first-year coach. "This was as good as Ive seen (Michael Neal) play. He was phenomenal not just because he made shots when he was on the floor, but because he led us tonight."

Jermaine Griffin was the only other Maverick in double-figures, as he added 10 points and a team-high six rebounds in the losing cause.