Oklahoma basketball: Sooners beat UTEP at Old Spice Classic

Although they never lost their lead, the Sooners saw their advantage fall to within the single digits with just under four minutes remaining in the game after a UTEP 3-pointer. Back-to-back Oklahoma fouls, with a blocked shot in between by Osby, brought UTEP within four with a 1:40 left in the game.

With a minute remaining on the clock, senior Steven Pledger got the ball in the right corner of the court — a spot where he spent a majority of his night — and drained a 3.

“We gave them a chance to get back in there late and we went a long stretch there in the second half not getting in a shot, just a couple free throws,” Kruger said. “It was a good win for our guys and a good way to start a tournament.”