National Basketball Association
BOXSCORE | RECAP
Oklahoma 85, Santa Clara 73
When: 11:59 PM ET, Friday, November 25, 2011
Where: Anaheim Convention Center, Anaheim, California
Officials: # Duke Edsall, # Michael Irving, # Gregory Nixon
Attendance: 1777

Steven Pledger scored 26 points to lead Oklahoma to an 85-73 victory over Santa Clara on Friday in the semifinals of the 76 Classic in Anaheim, Calif.

Andrew Fitzgerald had 12 points and 13 rebounds, and Sam Grooms collected 12 points, six assists and five rebounds for the Sooners (4-0), who face Saint Louis in Sunday’s championship game.

Evan Roquemore scored 27 points - with seven 3-point baskets - and Kevin Foster added 19 points for Santa Clara (3-2).

Pledger was 10-of-15 from the field and made four 3-pointers. He scored eight of his 14 first-half points during an 18-0 spurt that gave Oklahoma a 23-point halftime lead.

Pledger was 6-for-6 in the first half and hit two 3s during the half-ending string. Calvin Newell’s fast-break layup at the buzzer gave the Sooners a 42-19 halftime lead.

Oklahoma still led by 20 points with 5 1/2 minutes to play before Santa Clara staged a frantic rally, outscoring the Sooners 25-11 to cut the deficit to 79-73 with 45 seconds remaining.

Oklahoma, though, hit six free throws to put the game away.

Foster made three 3-pointers to raise his career total to 265 to break the school record held by NBA star Steve Nash (263 from 1992-96). The Broncos were 14-for-33 from 3-point range.

The Sooners outrebounded Santa Clara 49-33.

The Broncos face Villanova in Sunday’s third-place game.
Top Game Performances
 
Santa Clara   Oklahoma
Evan Roquemore 27 Scoring Steven Pledger 26
Evan Roquemore 10 Assists Sam Grooms 6
Niyi Harrison 8 Rebounds Andrew Fitzgerald 13
Evan Roquemore 6 Free Throws Made Sam Grooms 8
Kevin Foster 3 Steals Carl Blair Jr. 1
Yannick Atanga 1 Blocks Andrew Fitzgerald 2
Team Stats Summary
 
Team Points FG% 3PM-3PA FTM-FTA Assists Rebounds Blocks Steals Turnovers
Santa Clara 73 35.3 14-33 11-13 17 28 2 4
Oklahoma 85 46.7 5-16 24-32 10 47 4 1