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Law, Sloan lead Texas A&M to rout of Oklahoma State

Feb 22, 2007 - 6:45 AM STILLWATER, Oklahoma (Ticker) -- Acie Law IV usually doesn't need much help but he's receiving some unexpected support in the backcourt.

Law scored 19 points and freshman Donald Sloan added a season-high 15 as No. 9 Texas A&M trounced reeling Oklahoma State, 66-46, in a Big 12 Conference matchup.

The Aggies (23-4, 11-2 Big 12) moved into a tie with Kansas for first place in the conference with their first victory here since 1923.

"Donald Sloan did a good job of running the team," Law said. "I have been saying all year how talented our freshmen were. It was just getting accustomed to the Big 12. It is a tough league, especially for a freshman. Each time out they continue to get better."

Law, recently named a finalist for the Bob Cousy award as the nation's top point guard, finished 8-of-14 from the floor as Texas A&M completed a season sweep of the Cowboys, who tumbled to their fifth loss in six games.

"It was a great win for us," Aggies coach Billy Gillispie said. "I know people would think because of the result of this game ... Oklahoma State's NCAA Tournament chances are squashed, but they are absolutely not.

"All of the talk is nonsense. (They) are good. They just missed a bunch of shots."

Oklahoma State (19-8, 5-7) also dropped its second straight game at home after opening the season with 14 straight wins.

Law and Sloan were too quick for the Cowboys, repeatedly driving past defenders for easy baskets. The duo combined for 17 points in the first half, including nine by Sloan in just under five minutes, to help the Aggies build a 17-point advantage en route to a 36-22 halftime lead.

"If I can get in and get one stop then that will trigger everyone else," Sloan said. "I don't look to score, I just go in there and play defense. Coach always said I'm a driver so when the lane is there, why not?

"I always thought they were a good defensive team but after I drove the first one I felt confident and wanted to see how they would react to it."

The Cowboys cut the lead to 13 on three occasions in the second half before Sloan scored on a driving layup and Law hit a 3-pointer and a layup for a commanding 60-37 lead with 6:20 left.

"Texas A&M is a terrific basketball team," Oklahoma State coach Sean Sutton said. "They've got all the ingredients to make a deep run in the NCAA Tournament and ... they have a great chance to go to the Final Four."

Texas A&M held Oklahoma State's leading scorer, Mario Boggan, to seven points, just the second time the senior forward failed to reach double digits this season.

Byron Eaton scored 11 points to pace the Cowboys, who were held to 95 points combined in the two losses to Texas A&M this season. It marks the ninth time the Aggies kept an opponent under 50 points.

"I thought we defended great," Gillispie said. "We were able to drive to the basket. (Oklahoma State) took us out of our offense but we were able to get some transition baskets.