Kimble Scores 46, but Oklahoma Runs Past Cold Loyola, 136-121

A showdown between Loyola Marymount and Oklahoma, the nation’s top scoring teams, showed Oklahoma had more run in its gun Saturday as the Sooners won, 136-121, before a sellout of 4,156 at Loyola.

The Lions, with Hank Gathers sitting on the bench, were hurt by Oklahoma’s superior inside power and their own poor shooting (36.4%). Oklahoma pulled away in the final minutes despite 46 points by Bo Kimble and 29 from Jeff Fryer.

Skeeter Henry scored 41 points to lead seventh-ranked Oklahoma to its fifth win without a loss. Loyola is 6-2.

The first half was as fast-paced as expected, with each team surging to leads.

Oklahoma, which shot 54.7% for the game, led early, but Loyola went on a 22-15 run paced by Fryer’s three-pointers to take a 34-33 lead.

Oklahoma led, 45-44, when the Sooners began to take advantage of numerous offensive rebounds for an 18-9 surge and a 63-53 lead, the biggest for either team before halftime. The Sooners controlled the boards in the half, 30-18, as Loyola’s leading rebounder, Gathers, watched from the bench. Gathers, who fainted in a game two weeks ago, will return to practice Monday.

But the Lions, aided by a technical foul on Sooner Coach Billy Tubbs and a number of three-point baskets, pulled to within three. Terence Mullins hit a three-pointer at the buzzer to give Oklahoma a 70-64 advantage at halftime.

Kimble had 23 points in the first half and Fryer, with five three-pointers, had 21. Oklahoma’s inside men, Damon Patterson and Tony Martin, offset them with 19 and 17 points, respectively.

Henry scored 13 points in the first six minutes of the second half as the Sooners built a 12-point lead, while Loyola continued to shoot away and stay within single figures.

A three-pointer by Henry gave Oklahoma a 13-point lead, but Loyola stormed back behind Kimble, who scored seven quick points to reach 40 as Loyola pulled to within 105-102 midway through the half. When Terrell Lowery hit a three-pointer and Kimble made two free throws, Loyola had pulled even with a 15-4 run, 107-107, with 7:47 left.

But as quickly as they caught up, the Lions went cold and Oklahoma pulled away from a 115-114 lead with 10 consecutive points to take control with 2:37 left.