Alabama Stops Oklahoma’s Late Rally

Guard Mo Williams scored 25 points and made the key plays down the stretch to help No. 8 Alabama beat No. 3 Oklahoma, 68-62, Thursday night in the Coaches vs. Cancer Classic in Madison Square Garden at New York.

Ebi Ere had 24 points for Oklahoma and Hollis Price had all but four of his 19 points in the second half as the Sooners chipped away at an 18-point lead and pulled within 60-55 with 1:30 left.

Williams then made two free throws to restore the seven-point lead and the Sooners never got closer than five.

*

Duke Coach Mike Krzyzewski didn’t return to the bench for the second half of an exhibition game at Durham, N.C. because of pain in his right leg.

Krzyzewski, 55, had his right hip replaced March 24, his second hip replacement operation. He was limping badly as he made his way to the locker room at halftime of his team’s game against the EA Sports All-Stars, which Duke won, 102-74.

Krzyzewski’s hip appeared to lock up as he moved off the bench when point guard Chris Duhon was fouled hard with 8:05 left in the first half.

*

The foot injury that USC junior forward Jerry Dupree suffered in practice last week has been diagnosed as a deep bruise after X-rays showed no stress fracture, as initially feared. Dupree is suspended for the first six games of the season to focus on student-athlete priorities .... Trevor Ariza, a 6-foot-8 forward from Westchester High, signed a letter of intent to play at UCLA.... The NCAA ruled that Syracuse freshman guard Billy Edelin must sit out the first 12 games because he violated outside competition rules.