MEN’S BASKETBALL: Upset bid falls short against Sooners
January 31, 2009
Fourth-ranked Oklahoma (21-1, 7-0) used a 13-2 run to end the game and avoid the upset against pesky Iowa State (12-9, 1-5) 78-68 on Saturday at Hilton Coliseum.
Lucca Staiger hit a three-pointer to give the Cyclones a 66-65 lead with five minutes left, but that’s when Oklahoma proved why they’re one of the top teams in the conference and scored the next seven points.
The matchup showcased two of the best players in the Big 12 in Blake Griffin and Craig Brackins – and neither disappointed.
Griffin had his usual 23 points and 15 rebounds while Brackins had a double-double of his own with 19 points and 10 boards.
Both teams battled back and forth with ten lead changes in the game as the Cyclones and Sooners usually stayed within one basket of each other.
Iowa State did a good job at double teaming Griffin and keeping him at bay but they didn’t expect to see true freshmen point guard Willie Warren shred them for 29 points. Warren made five 3-pointers and committed no turnovers.
Breaking out of his slump was ISU guard Diante Garrett who had 17 huge points along with 10 assists. It was Garrett’s first career double-double, being that the last two times he dished out 10 dimes he failed to score 10 points.
Iowa State next travels to Kansas State on Tuesday to take on the slumping Wildcats.
