NORMAN, Okla. - Oklahoma
muscled its way to an 85-51 victory over ULM Sunday in the season opener for
both squads. The Sooners finished with a 49-30 rebounding edge and outscored
the Warhawks 42-26 in the paint and 16-6 in second-chance points to move to 1-0
on the season.
ULM junior guard Amos Olatayo
had a stellar performance in his debut with the Warhawks, netting a game-high
and career-high 21 points on 7-of-15 shooting from the field. Olatayo also had
eight rebounds, three steals and one assist in 31 minutes.
R.J. McCray added seven
points for the Warhawks, while Millaun
Brown and Jayon James each
registered six points in their first game for ULM. James also finished with a
team-high four assists.
ULM hung tough early and led 11-10 on a layup from James with 12:14
remaining before halftime. But the Sooners answered with a 17-2 run -- spanning
just over five minutes -- to build a 27-13 lead. OU's Steven
Pledger capped the run with a 3-pointer from the left wing.
Oklahoma pushed its lead to 55-26 with a 17-4 run to start the second half
and cruised to the victory. Pledger led four Oklahoma players in double figures
with 15 points. Amath M'Baye (12), Andrew Fitzerald (12) and Je'lon Hornbeak (10) also finished with
double-digit point totals for the Sooners.
ULM has a 13-day break before traveling to Louisiana Tech on Nov. 24 at
7 p.m.
