Bedlam Sweep! Sooners take down Cowboys 77-74

Reeling from losing three of four games, the Oklahoma Sooners (29-7, 8-5 Big 12) held off a plummeting Oklahoma St. Cowboys team 77-74.

Buddy Hield scored 22 points on 8-of-18 shooting, including 12 points in the second half, keying Oklahoma's come back victory.

"It was a really hard-fought game all the way," coach Lon Kruger said. "I believe both teams really left everything out on the court today."

The Sooners swept the regular season Bedlam series for the fourth time in the last nine seasons. Oklahoma State's last series sweep came in 2004.

The Cowboys (14-9, 5-8 Big 12) jumped out on the Sooners early on 18-11, but senior Tyler Neal led the charge for the Sooners, turning a 7-point Cowboy lead into a 3-point Sooner advantage. Neal had 10 points during Oklahoma's 13-2 run.

Just like in the first half, the Sooners had to fight back from a Cowboys lead. Oklahoma State jumped up 48-41 with 15:28 left in the contest. Hield scored five consecutive points, cutting the Cowboys lead 48-46. Neal topped it off to tie it at 57-all with 7:25 remaining. Frank Booker drained a three sealing the Sooners run, giving the Sooners a 60-57 lead with 6:06 remaining.

Oklahoma State led 65-60 with 3:49 remaining but the resiliency of the Sooners shined through for the sweep. Spangler hit two free throws, Frank Booker hit a three and Hield drained one as well, tying the game at 68-all with 1:48 remaining.

Ryan Spangler once again had a big game against Oklahoma State, scoring 12 points, securing 13 rebounds in the victory. He's had double-doubles in both games against the Cowboys this season. Spangler nabbed his Big 12 leading 10th double-double.

For a freshman to have such confidence in a tough play like Gallagher-Iba Arena, Booker was very calm and collected. Booker finished with a career high of 15 points on 5-of-7 shooting, including draining four 3-pointers.

"It was not really a big deal. I came in here ready to shoot and do my role," Booker said. "Other than that, I played defense and just knocked down shots."

Oklahoma outscored Oklahoma State 34-1 in bench scoring. Which, was led by Booker's 15 and Neal's 13 points. Je`lon Hornbeak finished with six points.

On the very next possession, Hield did it again, draining a three to give Oklahoma the lead for good at 71-68 with 1:06 remaining. That capped off a 11-3 run.

Free throws could have been the end of the Sooners, starting at 7-of-13 shooting from the charity stripe. However, Oklahoma drained their last eight free throws over the last 3:35 of the game.

Hornbeak hit his free throws down the stretch to secure the victory for Oklahoma.

The Sooners will look to win back-to-back games as they have the entire week off to prepare for Kansas St. Wildcats coming to town on Saturday, February 22nd. Oklahoma fell in Manhattan in their first meeting 72-66.