Stephen F. Austin 56, Oklahoma
55: Buddy Hield missed one of two free throws with four seconds to
play that would have tied the game, allowing the Lumberjacks to
escape with a road win over the Sooners.
Hal Bateman made two free throws
with 1:04 to play to put Stephen F. Austin up 56-54. Oklahoma missed
a 3-pointer and the Lumberjacks got the rebound but committed a turnover. Hield was fouled by Jacob Parker to set up the
potential game-tying shots. His miss was rebounded by the
Lumberjacks, who dribbled out the clock.
The Lumberjacks (8-1) went up
47-36 with 11:05 to play, but the Sooners rallied with a 16-4 run to
take the lead with 4:45 to play. The game went back and forth from
there, setting up the wild finish.
Taylor Smith led the Lumberjacks
with 14 points and seven rebounds, while Bateman finished with 13 and
nine assists.
Oklahoma (7-3) was paced by
Steven Pledger and Je'lon Hornbeak, who each scored 12 points.
GAME NOTEBOOK: The win by the
Lumberjacks broke Oklahoma's 36-game non-conference home winning
streak. … Stephen F. Austin has held 41 straight opponents
under 70 points. … The Lumberjacks don't get much time to cherish
the victory, with a Thursday game at home against Grambling State. The Sooners are off for 11 days, returning to the court
for a Dec. 29 home game with Ohio.