Thomas, Hield Lead Sooners Over 1st-Game NCAA Hump, 69-60
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COLUMBUS, Ohio (CBSDFW.COM/AP) — After all five Texas teams that made it into the 68-team NCAA Tournament field were eliminated on Thursday, Big 12 March Madness hopes were kept alive by the University of Oklahoma Sooners.
TaShawn Thomas powered his way to 18 points inside and versatile Buddy Hield added 15 to lead third-seeded Oklahoma past Albany 69-60 on Friday night, carrying the Sooners into the Round of 32 after early exits the last two years.
The Sooners (23-10), who led wire to wire, advance to play on Sunday against the winner of the late game between Dayton and Providence.
Peter Hooley had 15 points, Evan Singletary 13, Sam Rowley 12 and Ray Sanders 11 for No. 14-seeded Albany (24-9), regular season and tournament champs of the America East Conference.
The Great Danes came in with the reputation of being a dangerous 3-point shooting team.
But Oklahoma proved it could pump it up from outside, too, hitting 7 of 24 behind the arc.
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