Sooners Lose Third Straight, 100-93
ANCHORAGE, Alaska -- Kelvin Lewis scored 28 points and Houston handed Oklahoma (No. 25 AP) its third straight loss, 100-93, on Thursday night in the second day of pool play at the Great Alaska Shootout.
Aubrey Coleman added 27 points for the Cougars (2-1), who erased an 18-point deficit in the first half and trailed 52-47 at the break.
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The teams were tied at 71 with about 10 minutes left before Houston went on a 19-4 run. Oklahoma (2-3) never got closer than six in the final minutes.
Coleman scored 10 points, including six free throws, in the last 10 minutes to help keep the Sooners at bay.
Willie Warren led Oklahoma with 25 points and Steven Pledger scored 20 of his 23 in the first half. Tiny Gallon had 15 points and nine rebounds, and Cade Davis added 11 points.
Oklahoma lost to VCU last Saturday, then dropped its first game in the Alaska tournament to San Diego on Wednesday.
The Sooners came out sharp in this one, opening with an 18-6 run and building an 18-point cushion behind Tony Crocker, Warren and Gallon.
Lewis, who had 16 first-half points, made consecutive baskets and Coleman also scored to help the Cougars quickly cut the lead to seven with about 5 minutes to go before halftime.
Pledger made back-to-back shots to give Oklahoma more breathing room, and the Sooners led by 10 with 1:52 left in the half. But then Coleman came through with two straight buckets and Kirk Van Slyke hit a 3-pointer to bring Houston within five at halftime.