The Associated Press
Indiana foward Jeff Newton (50) goes to the hoop as Oklahoma foward Daryan Selvy (24) tries to defend during Saturday's first semifinal at the Final Four in Atlanta.

Last dance: Indiana-Maryland

Hoosiers upset Oklahoma for berth in final

STEVE HENSON LOS ANGELES TIMES

ATLANTA -- This book was not for sale, unlike the stacks of Bob Knight autobiographies the former Indiana coach signed at a local bookstore as part of Final Four festivities.

This was the Hoosiers' book on Oklahoma, penned by Coach Mike Davis, and it was as engrossing as Dane Fife's defense on Hollis Price, as inspiring as hometown hero Jeff Newton's play off the bench.

And it leads right into a sequel, a national championship game for Indiana, the team so many said didn't belong here, the team that ignored the ambivalence of Knight-loving legions, the team that outmaneuvered Oklahoma, 73-64, Saturday in a semifinal before 53,378 at the Georgia Dome.

The book went like this: Work the ball inside against Oklahoma's extended man-to-man defense and put Sooner big men in foul trouble. Then, when Oklahoma falls into a matchup zone, unleash a torrent of 3-point baskets.

"Our game plan went exactly according to script," Fife said. Although Indiana (25-11) trailed by four at halftime, the Hoosiers forced Oklahoma (31-5) to abandon its man-to-man defense by penetrating into the key, making four layups, two dunks and three short jump shots.

Sooner center Jabahri Brown picked up three fouls in the first half and forward Aaron McGhee, who scored a game-high 22 points, picked up two quick fouls in the first two minutes of the second half and fouled out with 4:40 to play.

In the second half, Oklahoma went to a zone and the Hoosiers responded by making six of six three-point shots -- all by different players -- calling to mind the eight in a row they made at the beginning of their Elite Eight victory over Kent State.

"We loosened up and relaxed after a while, when we realized we could win this game," forward Jared Jeffries said.

Oklahoma, in contrast, was as tightly wound as the tape on Tom Coverdale's ankle. The Hoosier guard was questionable because of a severe sprain, but he played 29 minutes and made a three-point basket that gave Indiana its first second-half lead.

The Sooners shot only 36.4 percent and missed all but two of their 18 three-point shots. Nobody was colder than Price, the most valuable player of the West Regional and the Big 12 Conference tournament.

Indiana's Newton, a 6-10 junior from Mays High in Atlanta, had a career-high 19 points, grabbed six rebounds and blocked four shots. Thirteen points came in the second half.

Newton's play was especially important because Jeffries, Indiana's best player, sat out the last 12 minutes of the first half after picking up his second foul.

And freshman reserve point guard Donald Perry scored 10 points, boldly driving through the Oklahoma defense for a layup that extended Indiana's lead to 64-60 with two minutes left and coolly making five free throws in the last 1:04.

And no one appeared calmer than Davis, a former Knight assistant who replaced the volatile Hoosier legend 18 months ago amid turmoil and questions of loyalty.

With about a minute to play, Fife noticed Davis on the bench with his head buried in his hands, and he said, "Coach, get your head up, man, we're going to the national championship."

This is Davis' book, and there is still a chapter to be written.

On the Web:

- NCAA Brackets

The Olympian Copyright 2002

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