Oklahoma men's basketball: Sooners overcome scoring droughts to beat Warhawks

The score was 5-4 until junior Tyler Neal hit the second 3-point shot of the game with 13:47 remaining in the first half. The Sooners had another three-minute scoring skid later in the first half.

Second-year Sooners coach Lon Kruger said the team did not come out sharp in their 85-51 victory against the Louisiana-Monroe.

“I thought we were on our heels defensively,” Kruger said. “We were kind of watching as opposed to dictating. We did create some opportunities with our steals and traps, which seemed to get us jump-started a little bit after getting off to a slow start.”

SOONER SWITCH

Twelve Oklahoma players participated in the Sooners' home opener against Louisiana-Monroe. Freshman Je'lon Hornbeak led the team in minutes with 28. Hornbeak had one 3-pointer, one free throw and three 2-point baskets. He added five rebounds and five assists.

The newcomers actually led in minutes. Junior transfer Amath M'Baye and freshman Buddy Hield played for 22 minutes, and Isaiah Cousins played for 20. The highest non-newcomer minutes were from starter Steven Pledger and junior Tyler Neal, who both had 18.