Record free throws attempts propel OU to semi-finals

By Samantha Franz

Sports Editor

 

TULSA, Okla. — It’s not every day a tournament record is broken. While maybe not as exciting to watch as a single-game points record or a new high in steals, the third-seeded Golden Grizzlies’ 55 record-breaking free throw attempts contributed 35 points in their 80-66 routing of the sixth-seeded Leathernecks of Western Illinois, a rematch of last season’s quarterfinal matchup.

 

The victory also marked the first time since 2000 that a third seed has defeated a sixth seed in the quarterfinal round of play at the conference tournament.

 

“I was very, very concerned about this game because we don’t have seniors and they do,” head coach Greg Kampe said. “I think that any time you go into a tournament and you’ve got seniors who are playing, that’s it for them. It concerned me a great deal.”

The first half of action showed no cause for concern, however, as OU maintained the lead for the entire first half. Junior Derick Nelson led all scorers in the half with 12 and Oakland had a steady 37-23 point lead over WIU at the half.

The Golden Grizzlies came out of the locker room fired up for the second half and a certain shooting guard from Dewitt, Mich. led the charge.

Junior Erik Kangas became on fire in the second half, sinking four 3-pointers in less than four minutes and made five for the entire half.

The second half began to look rocky for the Golden Grizzlies when the Leathernecks pulled within 10 with 5:44 remaining in the contest. OU went on to miss nine straight free throws and WIU took advantage of the slump and closed OU’s lead to seven with 3:50 left in the contest.

It took one more 3-pointer from Kangas, his sixth of the night, with about 3:20 remaining to seal the lead for good.

Kangas’ six 3-pointers propelled him in the conference tournament standings, scoring the third most 3-pointers in a single game. He tied his own 2007 record when he scored six 3-pointers in last year’s conference championship game against Oral Roberts.

“I just knew that I wasn’t going to stop shooting,” Kangas said. “My coach has confidence in me to tell me to shoot no matter what. I was struggling a little bit, but I definitely in my mind knew the next one is going in no what, so that was the mindset I had.”

Kangas led the way for Oakland with 26 points. Nelson finished with 17 points and nine rebounds, sophomore Johnathon Jones scored 14 and junior Dan Waterstradt contributed 10 points. Senior Patrick McCloskey added in nine rebounds off the bench.

Next up for the Golden Grizzlies is tonight’s matchup against the second-seeded IUPUI Jaguars, who defeated the surging seventh-seeded UMKC, 69-65, in their game’s final minutes. OU has split their series with the Jags this season.