Lon Kruger got the Sooners back to the NCAA Tournament, but the stay in the postseason was not a long one.
NCAA logo used with permission.
Oklahoma tied the score at 48 midway through the second half, but a 15-3 run for San Diego State that followed pushed the Aztecs to a win in the second round of the NCAA Tournament.
Senior forward Romero Osby had a game high 22 points to go with eight rebounds for the Sooners in his final game.
But the All-Big 12 First Teamer had little help from his friends. Osby was the only Sooner in double figures as OU shot less than 40 percent for the game.
It was the other side of the coin for senior Steven Pledger, who had more fouls than points. The guard had only one three-pointer go in Friday night. Pledger was 1-of-6 from behind the arc, a reflection of the team’s 5-of-21, for 23 percent.
With the Sooners spending much time shooting long range, the drives to the basket were not in great supply. Consequently, OU did not get fouled going to the basket and shot only eight free throws (4-8).
Osby kept his team in it, but ultimately there was not enough offensive production to go with him on this night.
He was asked about his time with the Sooners
“I hope I was able to leave a legacy that I was a good basketball player, but that I was a better person,” Osby said. “I just want to leave a stamp that this program is back and that we’re not looking back from here.”
Oklahoma (20-12) lost four of its last six games to close out this season. The meltdown in the second half against Texas – giving up a 22-point second half lead – started this streak.
Seventh seeded San Diego State (23-10) moves on to play the No. 15 seed Florida Gulf Coast on Sunday.