Pittsnogle leads WV to upset over OU

Johannes Herber couldn’t believe how many easy shots West Virginia got against No. 7 Oklahoma. That left Sooners coach Kelvin Sampson embarrassed at his team’s failure to play defense.

Kevin Pittsnogle scored 25 points and Herber added a career-high 21 to lead a strong shooting performance by the Mountaineers in a 92-68 victory Thursday night in Oklahoma City.

“I don’t know that we’ve had so many layups in a game,” Herber said.

Pittsnogle was 8 for 11 from the field, Herber was 9 for 13 and the Mountaineers (7-3) shot 66.7 percent to overcome a career-best 31-point performance from Taj Gray, who tried to single-handedly lead the Sooners (6-2) back from a 13-point deficit in the second half.

“I’ve been at Oklahoma for 12 years, but I don’t remember many times that I’ve left the court where I was embarrassed as I was tonight,” Sampson said.

It was Oklahoma’s most lopsided loss since a 66-37 defeat at Texas on Feb. 8, 2004. Sampson compared it to an 86-59 loss to eventual national champion Connecticut that same season, but said that team was overmatched.

“This one hurts more than any other one,” he said. “We’re not going to get this thing turned around here unless a loss like tonight hurts them the way it hurts me.”

Gray scored all of Oklahoma’s points in a 13-5 run to get the Sooners within 61-56. He had three baskets off offensive rebounds, including one for a three-point play.

After a 3-pointer by Mike Gansey, he dodged Pittsnogle and slammed the ball with two hands.

But the Sooners’ comeback hopes fizzled after that. Gray was called for goaltending on a shot by Herber, and Herber added a three-point play on West Virginia’s next possession to stretch the lead to 69-58.

The Mountaineers then scored 19 of the game’s final 22 points for their first win in three games against ranked opponents this season.

(3) Villanova 98, La Salle 57: At Villanova, Pa., Allan Ray hit six 3-pointers and scored 21 points, and Randy Foye added 20 points as the Wildcats (8-0) remained undefeated with a victory over the previously unbeaten Explorers (7-1).

(5) Florida 77, Miami 67: At Coral Gables, Fla., Joakim Noah had 18 points and six blocked shots for the Gators (11-0), which set a school record for consecutive wins to open a season. Guillermo Diaz had a season-high 25 points for the Hurricanes (6-5).

(14) Boston College 89, Harvard 55: At Boston, Jared Dudley had 16 points and eight rebounds, Craig Smith had 14 points and Tyrese Rice and Marquez Haynes each added 13 for the Eagles (8-2). Evan Harris had 18 points for the Crimson (8-4), who were 22 of 67 from the field.

(15) Texas 85, Texas State 49: At Austin, Texas, LaMarcus Aldridge had 21 points, 14 rebounds and five blocks and the Longhorns (9-2) rebounded from two straight blowout losses. Jeremy Johnson scored 20 points for the Bobcats (1-8).

(21) North Carolina State 68, Alabama 64: At Tuscaloosa, Ala., Engin Atsur scored 15 points, including two free throws with 25 seconds to play, to lead the Wolfpack (9-1). Chuck Davis scored 18 points for the Crimson Tide (5-4), mostly on layups and dunks. He scored his 1,000th career point early in the second half.

(22) Wake Forest 47, Richmond 40: At Richmond, Va., Justin Gray scored 21 points and Eric Williams added 13 as the Demon Deacons (9-2) held off a second-half rally by the Spiders (5-5). It was the fewest points in a victory for Wake Forest in modern school history. Oklahoma State 89, (23) Tennessee 73: At Oklahoma City, Byron Eaton scored 16 points and spurred a late run as the Cowboys (8-3) held off several second-half charges to hand the Volunteers (6-1) their first loss.

(25) Iowa, Robert Morris 51: At Iowa City, Iowa, Adam Haluska scored 18 points and Greg Brunner notched his fifth straight double-double with 15 points and 10 rebounds to lead the Hawkeyes (10-3) to their third straight win. Tony Lee had 15 points for the Colonials (4-5).

Pac-10

Bryson Krueger scored 16 of his 18 points in the second half as Arizona State won the Sleep America ASU Hoops Classic with a 72-55 victory over Northern Arizona (6-6) in Tempe, Ariz.

Tournament MVP Kevin Kruger added 14 points, seven rebounds and five assists for the Sun Devils (6-3).

Oregon State 61, South Florida 56: At Honolulu, Chris Stephens scored 21 points and Sasa Cuic added 12 as the Beavers (5-4) defeated the Bulls (5-5) in the Rainbow Classic consolation round.

Portland 80, Oregon 72: At Portland, Pooh Jeter scored 25 points and Darren Cooper added 21 points and six rebounds as the Pilots (5-7) defeated the Ducks (6-5).