Blake Griffin made is much anticipated return Saturday helping Oklahoma to a win over Texas Tech, 78-63.
Griffin scored 20 points and grabbed 19 rebounds as the Sooners won for the first time since Valentine's Day. Oklahoma (26-3, 12-2 Big 12) has won five straight games against the Red Raiders. It was Griffin's first appearance since being injured Feb. 21 in a loss to Texas.
Griffin no doubt scared the Oklahoma faithful early in the first half when he fell hard on his back trying to receive a pass. Griffin got up after a few seconds, shaking off the fall. The knock to the floor wasn't even the scariest part of the game for Sooners fans and Oklahoma head coach Jeff Caple.
With about 12 minutes to go in the second half, Griffin vaulted over the scorers table as he chased down a loose ball. Griffin was okay once again, getting up and returning to the floor.
"He only knows one way to play," Capel said to reporters after the game. "He was just so happy to be out there playing today. Just glad to see that he was okay because that one over the scorer's table was a pretty nasty fall."
Texas Tech did a much better job on Griffin this time around. The Red Raiders watched Griffin score 43 points and bring in 20 rebounds on Feb. 14.
"We cut everything in half that we gave him before," Tech head coach Pat Knight told reporters after the game. "He's the best. I think he's the total package."
Griffin looks to continue his campaign for National Player of the Year on Wednesday against Missouri. The Sooners finish up the regular season Saturday at home against Oklahoma State.
For more information on Sooners basketball, visit soonersports.com.
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