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Sooners rout punchless Eagles


[Picture]

Associated Press
Arizona Daily Wildcat

Oklahoma's Eduardo Najera (21) drives to the basket over Winthrop's Eric Fisher, foreground, during the first half of their NCAA first round playoff game at the McKale Center. Winthrop's Eyo Effiong is pictured in the backgound.


By Chris Jackson
Arizona Daily Wildcat,
March 16, 2000
Talk about this story

An anemic offensive attack doomed No. 14 seed Winthrop in the Eagles' 74-50 loss to No. 3 Oklahoma in the first round of the NCAA West Regional at McKale Center today.

Big South champion Winthrop (21-9) shot only 26.8 percent for the game while the Sooners (27-6) made 51 percent of their shots.

"We have kids that can really shoot the ball, today they shot the ball with confidence," OU coach Kelvin Sampson said. "It was a good first game." Winthrop head coach Gregg Marshall was disappointed in the final numbers.

"We had shots that we might normally make rim-out," he said. "We had to shoot the three well to be effective. You've got to give them credit. They were knocking down shots with guys flying at them."

The Sooners' defense smothered the Eagles throughout the game.

Winthrop point guard Tyson Waterman, a McDonald's High School All-American, was only 1 for 10 from the floor and 0 for 8 from three-point range.

"I didn't hold him in check as much as I was just following the game plan," said OU freshman guard Hollis Prince, who had the task of shutting down Waterman in Prince's first NCAA game. Waterman, visibly frustrated throughout the game, tried to explain his poor shooting.

"I didn't get the looks and stuff that I wanted," he said. "It was a frustrating night. You hate to end your career on that point."

Highly-touted Sooner forward Eduardo Najera picked up two fouls early in the first half and spent the remaining time on the bench. He finished with 10 points and five rebounds.

"We have five guys who can step up and make great plays when we need them (to)," Najera said. "I've never been (to Indianapolis) but it would be great to go there." Four of Najera's teammates finished in double figures.

Guard J.R. Raymond led the way with 14 points, including four 3-pointers, followed by guard Tim Haskett and guard Nolan Johnson with 12 apiece and Price had 10 points.

Haskett hit all four of his 3-pointers in the second half. The Sooners shot 47.6 percent from beyond the arc for the game.

The Sooners buried Winthrop early, going on a 21-5 run just two minutes into the game to erase a 6-2 Eagle lead.

Winthrop shot only 22.2 percent in the first half while Oklahoma shot 48.1 percent in the first half.

The Eagles trailed 39-23 at the half but could not get any closer than 13 the rest of the way.

Greg Lewis led Winthrop with 21 points but was only 7 of 17 from the floor.

"The outcome of this game is going to be expected," Lewis said. "They're a good team."

Wildcat reporter Ryan Finley contributed to this story.


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