A transitioning Division I program also pulled off an upset of Oklahoma.

North Carolina Central, which will not be eligible for play in its conference or the NCAA championships until the 2011-12 season, nearly had a big upset in hand, but Oklahoma escaped in overtime, 71-63, in play Monday at the Lloyd Noble Center in Norman, Okla.

The Eagles, who went 7-22 last year, almost became the first Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference team to beat Oklahoma in 25 tries. This was the first contest between the two schools.

North Carolina Central (1-1) led 58-55 with 32 seconds remaining off two free throws by C.J. Wilkerson, but Steven Pledger hit a 3-pointer with 15 seconds to go that forced overtime. In the extra session, Oklahoma started off with an 11-2 run.

Oklahoma (2-0), which shot just 32.8 percent (22-for-67) from the field, was led by 22 points and nine rebounds by Andrew Fitzgerald. Pledger chipped in 14 points.

Landon Clement led the Eagles with 22 points.