University of Oklahoma Athletics
University of Oklahoma
Washington State
OU Rides Strong Second Half to 74-59 Win
November 25, 2011 | Men's Basketball
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ANAHEIM, Calif. (AP) -- Reserve Calvin Newell scored 18 points and Oklahoma pulled away in the second half to beat Washington State 74-59 on Thursday night in the 76 Classic.
The Sooners will face Santa Clara in the semifinals Friday at 11 p.m. CT (televised by ESPN2). Washington State will play New Mexico in the consolation round.
Newell shot 7 of 13 and hit four 3-pointers, and Steven Pledger added 14 points on three 3s. Point guard Sam Grooms added nine points and a game-high 10 assists while only committing one turnover.
The Sooners were stout defensively, forcing 22 turnovers and limiting the Cougars to 22 percent shooting in the second half. OU outscored Washington State 22-7 off turnovers.
Brock Motum led Washington State (2-2) with 13 points. Faisal Aden had 12.
Oklahoma trailed by a point when Newell took over. He accounted for all but three points of a 13-2 run, capping it with a 3-pointer for a 60-50 advantage with 7:15 remaining.
Marcus Capers heaved in a 60-foot shot that beat the halftime buzzer and gave Washington State a 40-38 lead. But Oklahoma outscored the Cougars 36-19 in the second half.
Sooners head coach Lon Kruger is 4-0 in the 76 Classic. He coached UNLV to the tournament title last season.
