Norman, OK -- (Sports Network) - Blake Griffin had 24 points and a career-high 18 rebounds, as 12th-ranked Oklahoma crushed American University, 83-54, in the season opener for both clubs.

Cade Davis had 11 points while Willie Warren added 10 points for the Sooners (1-0), who shot 53.8 percent from the field.

"I feel good about this win," said Oklahoma coach Jeff Capel. "We beat a good team. American is a team that is going to win a lot of games, it is a team that you will see in the first round of the NCAA Tournament. They are going to continue to get better. They have a kid out with experience who they'll get back in a few games."

Brian Gilmore had 16 points and Garrison Carr added 11 points and four rebounds for the Eagles (0-1), who earned their first-ever trip to the NCAA Tournament last season.

"Tonight was just an old-fashioned butt-kickin' and Oklahoma beat us about every way you can beat a team," said American head coach Jeff Jones. "I was definitely disappointed in how we played, but certainly impressed with Oklahoma. They are even more physically imposing than we thought they were."

The Sooners held a 23-point lead after the first half with the score at 47-24 thanks in part to a 10-0 run after the halfway mark of the opening 20 minutes.

The Eagles were unable to get closer than 23 points in the second half as the Sooners cruised to the finish line.

Game Notes

The Sooners have won 22 of their last 24 season openers, including six in a row...This was the first meeting ever between these two clubs...American shot just 35 percent in the game.