Five in Double Figures as OU Rolls

NORMAN, Okla. (AP) - Quiet is the best word to describe Tony Crocker's performance on the offensive end of the floor for Oklahoma lately.

But the true freshman made a little noise Tuesday night, scoring 11 first-half points to help lead the Sooners past Longwood 81-40.

Crocker scored the first six points of the non-conference contest and then added a free throw to stake Oklahoma (12-8) to a quick 7-2 lead. When he scored on a follow slam at the 8:06 mark, the Sooners led 23-10 and were well on their way to a blowout victory.

"When the game started, they were leaving me open and I took advantage of it," said Crocker, who had gone five games without scoring in double figures. "I had a couple of jumpers and putbacks that got me off to a quick start."

With Crocker providing the early energy, the Sooners were able to force the action on both ends of the floor. While a swarming defense forced 13 first-half Longwood turnovers and limited the Lancers to only 32 percent shooting, David Godbold and Longar Longar took advantage on the offensive end.

Godbold and Longar each scored eight of their game-high 16 points in the opening half. The duo led five Oklahoma players in double figures, including Nate Carter (15), Crocker (11) and Taylor Griffin (10).

"We wanted to extend our pressure a little bit and try to make their guards work and turn the ball over at a higher rate. We just didn't allow (Longwood's) guards to get comfortable. We did a good job."

Kirk Williams led an outmanned Longwood squad (7-17) with 14 points, while the Lancers leading scorer Maurice Sumter managed only 10 points, almost six below his season average.

Godbold finished 5-of-6 from the field and connected on all four of his 3-point attempts. Longar connected on 7-of-9 shots to help the Sooners shoot 49 percent for the game.

Longar had averaged just over six points in three games since returning from a two-game suspension. But the 6-foot-11 junior made his presence felt against Longwood early thanks to eight first-half points, including three baskets during a 25-8 Sooner run to close out the opening 20 minutes.

Oklahoma eventually built its lead to 33-18 and then finished the half with three straight 3-pointers. Godbold connected from beyond the arc on consecutive trips and Chris Walker drained a 22-footer at the buzzer to make it 42-18 at intermission.

Beside forcing 21 turnovers for the game, the Sooners limited the Lancers to only 32 percent shooting (8-of-25) and outrebounded the visitors 42-35.

"All of the credit should go to the Oklahoma team. They play good defense and we knew that coming in," said Longwood coach Mike Gillian, pointing to the Sooners 13 steals. "We had more turnovers in the first six minutes tonight than we had the entire game against High Point on Sunday. A big part of that was caused by Oklahoma."

Although Crocker did not score in the second half, he added eight rebounds and four assists to help spark the Oklahoma attack. Defensively, Crocker also had two steals and a pair of blocked shots.

Longar kept the momentum in Oklahoma's favor with two quick buckets to open the second half. The Sooners led 54-28 when Godbold hit back-to-back 3-pointers that signaled an early night for most of the OU starters.

Carter established a new school record for consecutive free throws made (37) when he hit the first of two with 14:07 left in the opening half. The senior forward missed the second to fall two shy of the Big 12 Conference record.

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