Oklahoma Nets 95-82 Win Over UNT

NORMAN, Okla. (AP) - When leading-scorer Romero Osby left for the NBA after last season, Oklahoma Coach Lon Kruger knew a leader would need to step up.

After back-to-back career scoring nights, sophomore Buddy Hield has been that guy.

Oklahoma's Hield scored a career-high 23 points and four other Sooners finished in double figures to help Oklahoma beat North Texas 95-82 Monday.

Scoring a career-high 19 points in an 82-73 season-opening win against Alabama on Friday, sophomore Hield again led the Sooners (2-0) in 29 minutes of work.

"We're still searching for someone to offer that security and someone to step up there and take a more aggressive role in leadership," Kruger said. "(Hield) has got all the raw ingredients starting with energy, enthusiasm and passion. Buddy does a lot of things well and, most importantly, he'll work at it. That's the exciting thing."

After missing Oklahoma's European games in August due to a sore foot, Hield returned to score 21 and 29 points, respectively, in Oklahoma's exhibition games.

Counting the preseason he's now led the Sooners in three of the last four games.

"My teammates keep on telling me to be aggressive and attack," Hield said. "I'm just trying to do what I need to do to help my team on defense and scoring. Right now it's my time and I'm taking what I get."

Tyler Neal added 12 points while Je'Lon Hornbeak, Ryan Spangler and Cameron Clark each had 11 for the Big 12 Conference Sooners.

Hield led the Sooners in scoring both halves Monday night.

"Everyone saw last year the energy he brings," Neal said of Hield. "He doesn't need to change but he's obviously going to need to be one of our big-time scorers and we want him to take those shots he did tonight and attack and get out in transition."

Alzee Williams led the Mean Green (1-1) with 24 points.

After trailing the first 2:27, Oklahoma used an 8-0 run to take a 12-8 lead. Hield keyed a 9-0 run later in the half with a driving basket and then a three-pointer in transition to give the Sooners a 14-point lead - their largest of the game.

The Sooners shot 53 percent from the floor, never trailing after the 15:41 mark to win their 21st consecutive home opener.

Oklahoma led 48-38 at the half after shooting 53 percent and converting six of 12 three-pointers.

Now in his second season in Denton, North Texas Coach Tony Benford said Hield and the Sooners gave his team a good test.

"We knew they would be a well-coached team and very good in transition and very good off the dribble," Benford said. "We knew the keys would be trying to limit the transition and taking care of the basketball and we didn't do a good job of that tonight."

Conference USA's North Texas outrebounded the Sooners 23-19 in the first half but turned the ball over seven times leading to 13 Oklahoma points.

The Mean Green committed 16 turnovers and committed 22 fouls.

Chris Jones scored 16 points and Keith Coleman added 14 for North Texas. Jordan Williams scored 13 points in 28 minutes.

North Texas closed to within four points with 12:14 remaining on a Williams' 3-pointer but Hornbeak answered on the other end the next trip down and Hield coverted a pair of free throws a minute later.

North Texas was without junior guard T.J. Taylor for a second straight game due to illness and a sore knee. Benford - who calls Taylor one of his three best players - said the junior is expected to make his Mean Green debut Thursday night when North Texas hosts Nicholls State.

Oklahoma plays Idaho in Norman Wednesday.

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