OU beats Cameron 91-56

[NT80]

OU Wins Exhibition Over Cameron, 91-56

Courtesy: SoonerSports.com

Release: 11/10/2004

Kevin Bookout

NORMAN, Okla. -- Kevin Bookout is back.

Bookout scored 19 points as the Oklahoma Sooners defeated the Cameron Aggies 91-56 inside the Lloyd Noble Center in exhibition action Wednesday night.

“It was a first game. We need to get a lot better,” head coach Kelvin Sampson said. “Cameron played real hard. It’s a great opportunity for both schools to get out and play hard.”

Bookout led the Sooners in scoring, shooting 9-of-12 from the field, and rebounding, with 10, reminding the Sooner faithful how sorely he was missed.

“It was good to see him back,” Sampson said. “It’s the first time we’ve seen him healthy since last year when he got hurt. He’s such a smart player and epitomizes what every college basketball player should be.”

Bookout, who started the first 13 games last year before season-ending shoulder surgery, showed little rust, if any, as he dominated the low post. The junior forward scored 14 by the half as the Sooners picked up 28 points in the paint before the break.

“He’ll get more fluid with the game and improve even more,” Sampson continued. “He’s already improved a lot on his step out and short jumper.”

Cameron fought back in the second half, going on a 17-6 run through the first six minutes that pulled them within 11. However, the Sooners, sparked by a pair of Jaison Williams 3-pointers, ended the game outscoring the Aggies 36-12.

Williams was 4-for-8 from beyond the arc, scoring a total of 14 points.

The Aggies’ opportunities were limited by the Sooners’ defense. Cameron made 32 turnovers, accounting for 37 OU points. The Sooners also registered 18 steals.

Cameron’s Arthur Trousdell and Bam Harmon accounted for half of the Aggies’ 56 points, scoring 18 and 10, respectively.

Sophomore guard Drew Lavender scored 18 points and was 3-of-6 from beyond the arc as the Sooners had four players in double figures.

The new-look Sooners, who finished their final game last year with just seven players available, introduced several new faces to the home crowd.

Taj Gray, a 6-9 junior transfer from Redlands (Okla.) Community College, started at forward and saw 16 minutes of action, mostly in the first half. Gray finished the game with six points, eight rebounds, three blocks and two steals.

“Taj Gray had a good game as well,” Sampson said. “The thing about him is that he’s going to get better and better. Out there tonight he was thinking about everything. As the season goes on, it will become more automatic.”

Fellow junior transfer Terrell Everett, from Southwest Missouri State-West Plains, started at guard and played 32 minutes, the most by a Sooner, scoring 10 points and making four steals.

Freshmen David Godbold and Longar Longar came off the bench. Considered redshirt candidates prior to the game, both saw most of their action in the second half as they each logged 13 minutes.

Godbold was a perfect 4-for-4 from the free-throw line and made three steals.

“There was a lot of speculation if (Longar) was going to redshirt or not,” Sampson said. “There was no way that I could redshirt him. He’s just too good.”

Redshirt freshman Kellen Sampson, son of OU’s head coach, also made his first appearance as a Sooner. Kellen saw action in the final two minutes and connected on his only two shots from the free throw line to a rousing ovation from the crowd.

The Sooners have won 32 of their last 34 exhibition games and improved to 19-2 under Coach Sampson.

“We will play better Saturday,” Sampson said. “I’m anxious to see how we respond in practice the next two days.”

Oklahoma’s next action is against the UCO Bronchos in another exhibition game this Saturday at 1 p.m. inside Lloyd Noble Center.