Oklahoma wins season opener, routing Louisiana-Monroe 85-51
{{#rendered}} {{/rendered}}Stephen Pledger scored 15 points and three other Oklahoma players scored in double figures as the Sooners beat Louisiana-Monroe 85-51 Sunday.
Andrew Fitzgerald and Amath M'Baye each scored 12 points for Oklahoma and Je'Lon Hornbeak scored 10.
Oklahoma coach Lon Kruger's second season in Norman got off to a slow start with the Sooners committing four turnovers in the first five minutes and missing six of seven shots.
{{#rendered}} {{/rendered}}Ten of the Warhawks' first 12 points came off Oklahoma turnovers before the Sooners found their rhythm 10 minutes in when Cameron Clark found Tyler Neal for an alley-oop dunk.
Oklahoma stepped up its defensive pressure in the half's final nine minutes, applying full-court pressure and trapping near halfcourt, and led 38-22 at halftime.
Oklahoma outscored Louisiana-Monroe 17-4 in the first five minutes of the second half. The Warhawks, who were 3-26 last season, were led by Amos Olatayo's 21 points.