Oklahoma protected home court and gave the seniors one last win at the Lloyd Noble Center. Oklahoma has never lost to TCU in Norman, and with this win TCU has now lost seven straight games. Here is what you missed.
- No, the game was not being played in slo-mo, but both teams definitely had a slow start. With 15:30 left in the first half, TCU and OU accounted for a combined total of five points. Both teams were a combined 2-13 from the field, as the Horned Frogs lead 3-2 at the first media timeout.
- The cold Sooners heated up quickly, going on a 7-0 run and establishing a 11-5 lead with just 12:06 left in the half. Four different Sooners had already scored by that point, with OU holding the rebounding advantage 11-9.
- OU continued to play well by swinging the ball around the perimeter and crashing the boards on missed shots. Kristian Doolittle played a crucial role in maintaining the lead, scoring five points and grabbing five boards with 7:47 left in the half. Oklahoma led 22-13.
- TCU answered with a 14-6 run since being down 15-23, tying the game up 29-29 with 2:48 to go in the half. TCU was shooting 4-6 from the 3-point line at that point.
- OU barely led at the half, 33-31. Doolittle and Kameron McGusty led the scoring with seven points, but Doolittle added six rebounds as well. Christian James put up six points, also. Oklahoma shot 45 percent from the field, but a horrendous 11 percent from the 3-point line.
- The start of the second half began much differently than the start of the game. In the first 4:06 of the second half, the teams combined for a total of 20 points. Oklahoma knocked down three 3-pointers on a 9-0 run after only making one 3-pointer in the first half. TCU responded with a 7-0 run of its own, and OU led 44-40 with 15:54 to go in the half.
- The Horned Frogs were lights out beyond the arch. With 11:34 to go and a 2-point lead, TCU was shooting 7-11 from downtown, compared to Oklahoma’s 4-13.
- With 3:56 left in the game, Oklahoma held on to a small lead, 61-59. TCU had 17 points off turnovers at that point, compared to OU’s five. Oklahoma barely led in rebounds with 35 to 34.
- Solid defense and clutch free throw shooting down the stretch solidified this OU win.
3 Takeaways
- Oklahoma managed to attack the paint all day and was able to rack up many runners and layups. Oklahoma did a great job of cleaning up the missed shots with offensive boards and put-backs.
- Knocking down free throws proved crucial to Oklahoma’s success. McGusty, Doolittle and Jordan Shepherd were the ones who iced the game with seven pivotal free throws. The Sooners finished the game 17-22 from the free throw line.
- The freshman carried the team, with McGusty led the way with 22 points. Fellow freshman Doolittle contributed with 19 points and 13 rebounds. This is going to be a dangerous duo for years to come.
The Sooners will again face TCU in the opening round of the Big 12 Tournament on Wednesday at 6 p.m.
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