|
 TUCSON, Ariz. (AP) - Oklahoma overcame its own uninspired play and the inspirational support Niagara got from a former star and the coach's cancer-stricken mother to beat the Purple Eagles in the first round of the NCAA tournament.
Drew Lavender led six Sooners in double figures with 17 points in third-seeded Oklahoma's 84-67 victory Thursday in an Austin Regional game at Arizona's McKale Center.
The Sooners (25-7), who didn't make the tourney last year, struggled with 46 percent field-goal shooting, but were helped out by solid defense that harassed the Eagles into 16 turnovers.
|