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No. 23 Oklahoma uses high-powered offense to run past No. 8 Oklahoma State

Oklahoma Sooners head coach Kruger gestures toward players while playing against San Diego State Aztecs during NCAA basketball game in Philadelphia

Oklahoma Sooners head coach Lon Kruger gestures toward his players while playing against the San Diego State Aztecs during the second half in their second round NCAA basketball game in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, March 22, 2013. REUTERS/Tim Shaffer (UNITED STATES - Tags: SPORT BASKETBALL)

REUTERS

Oklahoma is 12th in the nation in scoring at 83.8 points per game and the Sooners usually shoot the ball around 15 seconds into the shot clocks on many of their offensive possessions.

The Sooners like to push the tempo and find good, quick shots and when those shots are falling like they were on Monday against in-state rival Oklahoma State, No. 23 Oklahoma is a tough team to beat.

Thanks to an aggressive offensive attack that kept the Cowboys in foul trouble for much of the game, Oklahoma was able to hold on for the 88-76 win over No. 8 Oklahoma State on Monday night in a Big 12 home win for the Sooners.

With Marcus Smart and LeBryan Nash saddled with first-half foul trouble, Oklahoma took advantage and led for the entire game after taking an 12-10 lead on a Ryan Spangler three-point play with 14:21 left in the first half.

Spangler had his way with the depleted Cowboy frontline, scoring 15 points and grabbing 17 rebounds in an impressive Monday night effort in which Oklahoma State, at times, resorted to four-guard lineups because of foul problems.

Oklahoma got the benefit of the doubt on some calls, but their aggression and attacking mentality on offense kept Oklahoma State on its heels the entire game.

Oklahoma freshman point guard Jordan Woodard (18 points, 9-for-13 free throws) is an impressive floor leader that leads the Big 12 in free throws made per game and his steady presence with the ball in his hands is a big key for the Sooners as the season wears on.

When you add in scoring from players like Buddy Hield and Cameron Clark and Oklahoma is a very potent offense that can run with any team in the country.

It remains to be seen if Oklahoma can get enough stops to win deep into March, but this is a big Bedlam win over a top-10 team and Oklahoma has to be feeling good about its tournament resume heading towards February.

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