NORMAN, Okla., March 8 (UPI) -- T.J. Ford made a free throw and a key jumper in the final 54 seconds Saturday as the fourth-ranked Texas Longhorns scored the final 11 points and snapped No. 5 Oklahoma's 37-game home winning streak with a 76-71 Big 12 Conference victory.
"The streak is over now, and we'll start a new one next year," said Oklahoma Coach Kelvin Sampson. "We promise."
Texas (22-5, 13-3 Big 12) rallied from a 14-point deficit in the second half and grabbed the No. 2 seed in the Big 12 tournament. The loss by Oklahoma gave the top seed to Kansas, which can earn the outright conference title Sunday with a win at Missouri.
Hollis Price, considered the heart and soul of the Sooners, was looking to end his home career with a victory over his team's biggest rival. But Ford's heroics helped spoil it as the Longhorns held Oklahoma (21-6, 12-4) scoreless for the final 4:19.
Ford and Price are close friends.
"It's real tough knowing it's his last game here and we ruined the streak," Ford said. "I had to come out and play well and leave our friendship off the court. He played well, all the seniors played well. I wish them the best of luck."
"The thing that impressed me is that he only had one turnover," said Texas Coach Rick Barnes. "I wouldn't trade T.J. Ford for anyone in the country."
Ford drove to the basket and was fouled by Jabahri Brown with 54 seconds left. He made one of two at the line to snap a 71-71 tie and Brian Boddicker came up with the offensive rebound.
Texas ran down the shot clock and isolated Ford on Quannas White. Ford drove to the right side of the lane, pulled up and made a jumper for a three-point cushion with 12 seconds to go.
After a timeout by Oklahoma, Price missed a three-pointer with 10 seconds left. The Sooners came up with an offensive rebound and missed an inside shot before calling another timeout.
With Price and White blanketed on the perimeter, the ball was inbounded to freshman De'Angelo Alexander, who misfired on a three-pointer with two seconds remaining. Texas' James Thomas made a pair from the line to cap the scoring.
The Sooners suffered their first home loss since a 69-61 defeat to Kansas on Jan. 13, 2001.
"It is hard to talk right now," Price said. "The emotions of the day were great. The fans showed up and gave us a lot of support. We played hard. We just didn't get the job done and that is the disappointing thing about this game."
Brandon Mouton netted 11 points, and Thomas added 10 and six rebounds for Texas, which won its fourth straight. The Longhorns had lost eight straight to the Sooners before sweeping the season series this year.
