NORMAN, Okla. — Jamal Shead hit a short follow shot with 0.4 seconds left, and No. 1 Houston beat Oklahoma 87-85 on Saturday night, giving coach Kelvin Sampson a victory over one of his former schools.
Shead missed a driving layup attempt, but corralled the rebound and put the Cougars back ahead after they blew a 15-point lead. Emanuel Sharp tipped away a desperation pass by Oklahoma's Milos Uzan as time expired.
L.J. Cryer led Houston (26-3, 13-3 Big 12) with 23 points, making five of nine 3-pointers. J'Wan Roberts added 20 points on 10-of-12 shooting, and Shead scored 14 points. Houston shot 56.7% from the field and Oklahoma was at 52.7%.
Rivaldo Soares had 16 points for Oklahoma (19-10, 7-9). Le'Tre Darthard had 15 points, finishing 5-of-7 from 3-point range.
Sampson coached Oklahoma from 1994 to 2006, and ranks second in program history with 279 wins and first in winning percentage (.719). Before Saturday, he'd never coached against the Sooners, but Houston's entry into the Big 12 for this basketball season provided that opportunity.
Sampson received a warm welcome as he entered the Lloyd Noble Arena court, with many fans applauding, cheering and standing. Just before player introductions, Sampson and his three assistants with Oklahoma ties — former players Hollis Price, Quannas White and Kellen Sampson, his son — were individually recognized with announcements and pictures on the video board.
Houston made its first week this season at No. 1 a successful one, with two wins. The Cougars are a game ahead of No. 8 Iowa State in the conference standings with two games left in the regular season and remain in the conversation for the overall No. 1 seed in the NCAA tournament. Houston has won eight of the last nine games
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