SoonerScoop.com - Johnson, Griffin propel OU to Bedlam win

January 27, 2009

Matt Hensley
SoonerScoop.com Staff Writer

It was a cold, brisk night in Stillwater, Okla. on Monday night, but under the lights of Gallagher-Iba Arena the shooting was far from icy. Oklahoma State found their stroke in the second half, but the Sooners turned on the jets late, leaving the Cowboys in the dust.

Blake Griffin outrebounded the entire Oklahoma State team on his own with 19 boards (compared to 18 team rebounds for the Cowboys). He scored 20 of his 26 points in the second half while Austin Johnson continued his exceptional play to help the Sooners (20-1, 6-0 in Big 12) to a big road win in Stillwater, 89-81.

Oklahoma dominated the boards as a team, outrebounding the Cowboys by 20, and shot 58.0% (29-for-50) for the game. Turnovers, however, kept the game close. The Sooners finished with 23 turnovers for the game, which accounted for a season high.

Senior Austin Johnson finished with four turnovers, but his play throughout the game was pivotal to the Sooners victory. Johnson's career high 22 points included crucial three-point connections to propel Oklahoma to a victory.

Johnson has scored at least 15 points in four of his last five games.

The Cowboys made a run late in the second half to cut a 14-point Oklahoma lead to one, 64-63, when Byron Eaton converted on two free throw attempts with 7:20 remaining.

Johnson answered with a long three-pointer to extend the Sooners lead back to four.

"He has shown that he can make deep shots," OU head coach Jeff Capel said. "He's playing at a very high level for us right now. When he plays that way, it makes us a different basketball team. Hopefully, it is something he can continue to be consistent with."

The Sooners scored on their first possession of the game and never trailed the entire night.

Junior college transfer Juan Pattillo had his second impressive outing in a row as he put down 12 points for the Sooners, including a handful of rim-rocking slam dunks. His combination of athleticism and defensive tenacity has been glaringly noticeable since his minutes increased.

Pattillo's 23 minutes played were a season high.

"What can you say about Juan Pattillo?" Capel said. "He's played well these last two games. You can just tell he has bought into the way we are playing. When he goes out, he gives us a different weapon."

Byron Eaton's penetrating ability found great success throughout the night as he led the Cowboys with 20 points. Keiton Page, Obi Muonelo, and James Anderson added 15 points each for Oklahoma State.

After scoring 12 points in the first half, Muonelo only scored three points in the second half.

Sophomore sensation Blake Griffin has been targeted all season by opposing defenses. He found himself on the receiving end of an intentional foul and a technical foul, both charged to Malcoln Kirkland.

Kirkland only saw three minutes of court time.

Oklahoma State was held to 30 points in the first half, but shot 8-for-14 from beyond the perimeter in the second half to help recapture the type of offensive power they have been familiar with all season. The Cowboys shot 46.2% from beyond the perimeter (12-for-26) and 85% (17-for-20) from the free throw line on the night.

Despite the good shooting night for OSU, The Sooners are the first team in the country to reach 20 wins. Also, with the win Jeff Capel becomes the quickest OU basketball coach to reach 59 wins in school history.

Oklahoma continues their road trip to Ames, Iowa on Saturday to face superstar Craig Brackins and his Iowa State Cyclones. Tipoff is set for 12:30 p.m. CST and will be broadcast by the Big 12 Network.

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