OU basketball notebook: Demons indeed
BY GUERIN EMIG World Sports Writer
Saturday, December 01, 2012
12/01/12 at 3:26 AM
Northwestern State came to OU on Friday night having lost, respectably, at both LSU and Texas A&M in the past 10 days. The Demons weren't the least bit intimidated by the Sooners, and it showed.
Shamir Davis drove for a layup to give the visitors a 32-29 lead at the half. They were up 63-57 after Davis' three free throws with 5:34 remaining, but then scored just two points (off a tip-in) the rest of the way.
Jalan West scored nine of his team-high 13 points on ridiculously long 3-pointers in the second half. Davis added 10 points.
As for the Sooners: Romero Osby was OU's only double-figure scorer with 11 points. He shot just 1-of-8 from the field, but did make 9 of his 12 free throws.
Osby sat out the final 5:34 after being whistled for a blocking foul on a block-charge call, then slamming his hands on the floor in frustration. That earned him a technical and a seat on the bench with his fifth foul.
Amath M'Baye shot just 2-of-6 and closed with eight points, eight rebounds and four turnovers. Buddy Hield, who sparked OU's comeback at ORU Wednesday, shot 2-of-6 and turned it over twice.
The Sooners rescued the game from the foul line - they were 20-of-28 vs. Northwestern State's 15-of-18 - and thanks to the Demons' 17 turnovers, which they turned into 19 points.
He considered the Sooners: While Lon Kruger picked up his 500th career college victory Friday night, Northwestern State coach Mike McConathy has won 555. He won 352 at Bossier Parish Community College before moving to Northwestern State 14 years ago.
As a player, McConathy became the second alltime leading scorer at Louisiana Tech from 1974-77. According to Northwestern State's game notes Friday night, he was also a high school All-American who made an official visit to OU when John MacLeod was coach.
