NORMAN, Oklahoma (Ticker) -- It wasn't college football's national championship, but Oklahoma exacted a measure of revenge against Louisiana State.

Freshman forward Brandon Foust, scored a career-high 19 points to lead Oklahoma over LSU, 70-61, in a first-round NIT contest.

LSU defeated Oklahoma in the Sugar Bowl in January, claiming a share of the national championship.

Foust, whose previous career high was 11 points, made sure the Sooners didn't lose this one. Trailing 17-12, Oklahoma (20-10) went on a 18-5 run to close the half and take control.

The Tigers cut the deficit to 37-34 with 15:43 remaining, but the Sooners answered with a 12-3 spurt over the next six minutes to take their biggest lead at 49-37.

LSU trailed by five points with 27 seconds left but missed two 3-pointers. Oklahoma made 8-of-9 free throws in the final three minutes and will play Michigan in the second round next week.

Antonio Hudson scored 16 points for the Tigers (18-11), who played without leading scorer and rebounder Jaime Lloreda. Lloreda left the team on March 2 to get a second opinion on his injured left leg.