Dec. 16, 2006

Box Score

NORMAN, Okla. - Oklahoma used a 15-3 run midway through the first half to breakaway from the UT Arlington Mavericks en route to a 89-60 victory at the Lloyd Noble Center Saturday night.

Oklahoma (6-3) had three players in double figures by halftime. Guard Tony Crocker led a balanced attack with 18 points. Guard Michael Neal had 17 points, center Longar Longar scored 11 of his 16 points in the first half. Guard Austin Johnson also had 11 of his 13 points by halftime.

UT Arlington (3-5) lost its fourth straight road game. The Mavs were led by sophomore guard Brandon Long who posted a career high for the third straight game. He finished with 22 points on 6 of 10 shooting from 3-point range. The Mavs knocked down a season-high 11 3-pointers on 11 of 22 shooting.

Junior center Jermaine Griffin had 10 points and a team-high six rebounds.

UTA could not get closer than 15 points in the final 15 minutes of the game. Back-to-back 3 pointers by Long capped a 9-2 run to trim the lead to 57-42 with 11:18 to play.

OU dominated the first half, outrebounding UTA, 25-10. The Sooners had more offensive rebounds (13) than the total number of boards for the Mavs in the first half. In addition, the quick Sooner backcourt had six steals and turned 12 UTA turnovers into 10 points.

Leading 23-18 with nine minutes to play, OU went on the 15-3 run to lead 38-22 after back-to-back baskets by Longar. The Sooners stretched the lead to 43-26 right before half after a Michael Neal lay up off a steal with :04 to play.

UT Arlington returns to action Monday at UC-Riverside at 9 p.m. CT.

NOTES: UTA falls to 0-5 in the all-time series with Oklahoma and to 3-45 in games against Big 12 teams.

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