COL BKB: Oklahoma 77, Colorado 72

NORMAN, Okla., Feb. 7 (UPI) -- Blake Griffin's 26 points and 12 rebounds Saturday helped second-ranked Oklahoma escape with a 77-72 Big 12 Conference win over inspired Colorado.

OU's halftime edge was just 38-33, but unranked Colorado trailed 65-51 when Cory Higgins sank a layup with 5:57 remaining.

Higgins' jumper made it 73-70 with 13 seconds left, but CU ran out of steam and time.

Tony Crocker scored 24 with three rebounds and three assists, but no other player reached double figures for the Sooners (23-1, 9-0 Big 12), who have won 11 in a row since their only loss this season, 96-88 at Arkansas Dec. 30.

Higgins' 20 points, three rebounds and two steals led Colorado.

Austin Dufalt and Dwight Thorne II scored 13 points apiece, while Nate Tomlinson added 11 points, four rebounds, and four assists for the Buffaloes (9-13, 1-7), who have lost seven of their last eight games.