Pledger leads Oklahoma over Kansas State 63-60

By Dave Skretta

Associated Press

Published: Saturday, Jan. 28 2012 7:30 p.m. MST

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Oklahoma forward C.J. Washington (5) beats Kansas State forward Jamar Samuels (32) to a loose ball during the first half of an NCAA college basketball game on Saturday, Jan. 28, 2012, in Manhattan, Kan.

Charlie Riedel, Associated Press

Summary

Steven Pledger scored 30 points and Oklahoma weathered a second-half charge by No. 22 Kansas State and some tense moments down the stretch to give coach Lon Kruger a 63-60 victory over his former team Saturday night.

MANHATTAN, Kan. — Steven Pledger scored 30 points and Oklahoma weathered a second-half charge by No. 22 Kansas State and some tense moments down the stretch to give coach Lon Kruger a 63-60 victory over his former team Saturday night.

Sam Grooms made a key steal in the closing minute and two free throws with 5 seconds left for the Sooners (13-7, 3-5 Big 12), who watched as Rodney McGruder's potential tying 3-pointer from the wing at the buzzer bounced off the back iron and fell to the floor.

McGruder finished with 19 points and Angel Rodriguez had 10 for the Wildcats (15-5, 4-4), who trailed by 10 in the second half but went on a 12-2 run and later pulled into the lead.

The Sooners led 59-56 on a pair of free throws by Pledger with 1:07 left, but Will Spradling trimmed the lead to a point on a slicing layup moments later.

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