NORMAN — David Godbold's 28-foot game-winning shot at Texas Tech Saturday lived on as the most dramatic moment of the Oklahoma basketball season for all of three days.
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And it was replaced by one of the most unbelievable, improbable finishes in OU basketball history.
Sooner sophomore Tony Crocker was fouled by Baylor's Aaron Bruce as he made a game-tying 3-pointer from the top of the key with 7.3 seconds left in overtime, then made the free throw for a 92-91 victory over the Bears at Lloyd Noble Center Tuesday night.
But the drama didn't end with Crocker's near-impossible four-point play.
Baylor guard Curtis Jerrells, who had forced overtime with a last-second layup, drove into the lane and was fouled by Godbold with 1 second remaining. But the junior point guard missed both free throws, and Kevin Rogers missed a tip-in try as time expired.
"I don't know if I've ever been a part of something like that,” an exhausted Jeff Capel said after his Sooners' third straight victory. "We were very fortunate, lucky, whatever you want to call it.
"We'll take it. We had guys that made plays. You have to put yourself in position to allow yourself to be a little bit lucky. And we were in that position.”
Crocker finished with 20 points and Austin Johnson had 19, backing Blake Griffin's career-high 29.
Like Saturday's thrilling win at Texas Tech, Tuesday's victory helps to solidify Oklahoma's NCAA Tournament chances. The Sooners are now 18-8 overall and 6-5 in the Big 12 Conference, pulling into a tie for fourth place with Texas A&M in the standings.
According to CollegeRPI.com, OU moved from 32 to 27 in the Ratings Percentage Index, an integral piece of information in the selection committee's determination of which teams receive Tournament bids.
"We're trying to get in the Tournament and have a good seed,” Crocker said. "That shot helped our security in the Tournament, helped make sure we get a better seed, just increasing our chances of making everything better. That's what everyone plays for.”
Oklahoma saw a 66-57 lead disappear in the final 3:30 of regulation, then Baylor scored the first seven points of overtime.
At that point, Capel called a timeout to remind his players of their double-overtime win at West Virginia Dec. 29. That night, OU fell behind in both overtimes before rallying.
"We were fortunate to get a few stops,” Capel said of Tuesday's final minutes. "We found a way to win. That's what it comes down to. We found a way to win.”
The early overtime deficit negated the Sooners' biggest mismatch. Baylor had lost two forwards to fouls and 7-foot center Josh Lomers did not play in the overtime period because of a recent illness, according to coach Scott Drew. So that left the Bears with four guards on the court and the 6-foot-1 Jerrells guarding the 6-foot-10 Griffin on the block.
But the Sooners were forced to look for outside shots. OU rallied with two 3-pointers from junior Austin Johnson, and Crocker added a pair of 3s, both in the final 20 seconds to erase an 89-85 deficit.
With time ticking down, the Sooners were desperate for an open shot, but couldn't find one. Crocker double-pumped as he went up, then was fouled as he released the shot.
"I'm anxious to see the replay to see exactly what happened,” Drew said. "I want to see if it was a foul or if we should have switched. I thought we had good defense.”
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Bob, where did you see the video of the scuffle? I wanted to see it but can't find it anywhere. Also, anyone know where to find video of Jenna Pumley's accident vs KSU?
The feel free to give/sell your tickets to someone who can stay for the entire game and truly support the team. That's what we do when we have something that will prevent us from staying the entire game.
Well, goodie for them. As much as I love basketball (and I do), my life does not revolve around the sport. Some of you fan-snobs are acting as though it's somehow criminally or morally wrong to leave a game early - when we have other responsibilities to attend do.
I live in Kentucky were during the middle of the week in December, when school is out, 20,000 show up to see UK plays lesser than Gardner-Webb. And believe me a lot of people drive further than the Norman-Edmond commute.
I just saw the video of the scuffle. The Bear was mad because Blake had ahold of his head and was being rough with it on into the court. That must be why he got his technical. I'm might have elbowed him too (if he wasn't so huge). He does play rough, but they play him rough too. Go Blake and OU!
Prior to the team introductions last night, they showed the last 10 seconds of the OU vs. Texas Tech game and Godbold's incredible shot, and a clip from the post-game locker room where Coach Capel announced to his team that he just got his "first taste of Sooner Magic". I guess he liked it, and came back for a second helping! Crocker's 4-point play goes down in Sooner Lore as an all-time great! BOOMER SOOMER!
Did the extra 20 minutes really make much of a difference for those "fans" that left early? Come on! The crowd can (and should) have a significant impact on every game. It's sad that last night was the first time this season that I felt the home court advantage of Lloyd Noble. I know Jerrells would attest to that!
Bob. Luck is for lOSUrs and people with imaginary invisible friends. And personally, I don't care who said what as long as it applies, so the Darrell Royal quote is great. I really shouldn’t use the lOSUr reference since no Aggie has chimed in on this post. Day ain’t over yet! I guess we could count trolls such as Bob or Lucy’s husband Desi?
How does the arena vote even come into play on this article? He's been trying to spread the no vote since this thing was announced, but the sad thing is this is the only place he can voice an opinion cuz the vote isn't for tuttle residents! haha.
How does the arena vote even come into play on this article? He's been trying to spread the no vote since this thing was announced, but the sad thing is this is the only place he can voice an opinion cuz the vote isn't for tuttle residents! haha.
Brain, don't worry...they will get their time to shine; Capel gives them all some time to shine. Nine players got minutes last night. Our guards have stepped up their game. Our post players can’t be stopped, and two of them aren’t even fully healthy. You can definitely see Davis and Neysmith are talented and starting to really get it; but you can also see Crocker and Johnson coming into their own. Those shots they hit last night were big! You can definitely see them not only believing they can do it, but knowing they can do it.
Desi, my gosh, are you just "anti-everything"? Some day you are gonna wake up and realize you are a bitter old man and you won't even have 3 friends. Of course, you don't even have to have 6 friends to carry your coffin, cause they won't leave you laying around to stink. That should be some comfort to you, buddy.
Brian, would you rather have Crocker shooting that 3 at the end, or Davis? I think Coach shook things up when he decided to revamp the starting lineup by starting Neysmith and Davis the past couple of games. Maybe that's what the other gaurds need to live up to their full potential. And Jennifer, darn you for trying to be responisble! haha! Just kidding of course. Try driving almost to Altus after that one. No worries though, I screamed loud enough for the kids and you. ;)
Hey, I am one of those fans that left, but that doesn't mean I didn't leave my heart in that stadium. I would have love to have stayed, but with a commute back to Edmond from the game and two kids to get home to on a week-night, well, I guess some would say basketball, as much as I enjoy it, is not my top priority. Sorry to disappoint. I've stayed at many a game where my voice was loud and strong. Last night it just didn't happened, but we were listening and sending our Sooner spirit from the car.
I have watched numerous games this year and pleased with the way that Capel prepares and coaches this team. Leading up to this game I felt like he had learned from past mistakes in respect to the minutes played. It is obvious that they are not going to win any championship this year, I would really like to see Davis and neysmith get more than a combined 7 minutes. With all of the "tired" mistakes that Crocker and Godbold make offensively during a rough 2nd half stretch i would have liked to have seen Capel show some confidence in these youngsters!
Desiderius.... Good luck with that bud! It's gonna pass and you and your three firends con't change it!!!
Joshua... You suck! Grow up and stop acting like a 6 year old girl!
Joshua. While I agree that we ought to have more fans, remember, most schools would kill for 8,000, especially to play a historical doormat like Baylor (no matter how good they are during one specific season). Plus, any fans who left early just missed out. They won't do that again. And, Bill. You're darn right buddy. Whatever team won that game was gonna need luck. In the final 3 minutes, and the first two of overtime, Baylor jacked shots from everywhere that kept going in. That many in a row is certainly fortunate.
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OU's Blake Griffin, left, grabs a rebound in front of Baylor's Mamadou Diene during first-half action on Tuesday. Griffin scored a career-best 29 points. by NATE BILLINGS, THE OKLAHOMAN
OU's Blake Griffin works his way through a crowd of fans on Tuesday after defeating Baylor 92-91 in overtime. Griffin scored a career-high 29 points. by NATE BILLINGS, THE OKLAHOMAN
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Joshua... You suck! Grow up and stop acting like a 6 year old girl!