BIRMINGHAM, Ala., March 21 (UPI) -- Two key baskets by Blake Griffin blunted a St. Joseph's comeback bid Friday and helped lift Oklahoma to a 72-64 win over the Hawks in the NCAA Tournament.
The Sooners, seeded sixth in the East Region, opened as much as a 19-point lead in the second half before having to sweat out the decision in the closing minutes of the first-round game.
David Godbold scored 25 points to lead the Sooners (23-11) and Longar Longar had 14.
St. Joseph's closed within 65-61 with 3:15 to play, but Griffin grabbed a rebound from his owned missed shot and tipped it in to give the Sooners a six-point advantage.
After the Hawks missed on a three-point attempt, Griffin tossed in a layup to make it 69-61 with 2:04 remaining. Three late free throws by Tony Crocker helped the Sooners maintain a relatively safe lead.
St. Joseph's (21-13) was led by 21 points from Rob Ferguson.
The Hawks' last previous NCAA Tournament appearance came in 2004, when they lost to another Oklahoma team. They fell to Oklahoma State that year in the East Region final.
