Raymond's Hot Hand Tops Huskers

Norman, Okla. (AP) - J.R. Raymond scored 20 of his 25 points in the first half Saturday, when Oklahoma opened a big lead on its way to a 77-66 victory over Nebraska.

Aaron McGhee scored 20 for the Sooners (15-4, 4-3), who saw Nebraska cut the lead to five with about five minutes to play. Nolan Johnson scored eight of his 11 points in the final 3 1/2 minutes to help keep Oklahoma in control.

Cookie Belcher scored 21 for Nebraska (9-10, 2-4). The Cornhuskers have lost seven of their past nine games and didn't help themselves in this one, missing 15 of 27 free throws including 10 of their final 14.

Raymond continued his hot shooting, making six 3-pointers in the first half when Oklahoma opened as much as a 22-point lead. Raymond has scored 25, 21 and 25 points in the past three games, after having totaled 23 in the previous seven.

Nebraska started out well, scoring on its first five possessions. But the Cornhuskers were just 3-of-12 from the field in the next 14 minutes, with nine turnovers.

The Sooners led 60-42 after a shot in close by Daryan Selvy with 11:27 remaining. Then Belcher scored eight points in a 12-2 run that got the Cornhuskers to within 62-54, although they also missed six of eight free throws during that stretch.

A 3-pointer by Rodney Fields with 4:03 remaining made the score 64-59, but that was as close as the Cornhuskers would get. Steffon Bradford had 15 points for Nebraska.