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The Oklahoma Sooners dominated the Vanderbilt Commodores en route to a 86-55 victory as part of the Big 12/SEC Challenge. With the win, Lon Kruger’s squad improved to 15-5 on the season and 6-1 in Norman.
Win column, #Sooners!
— Oklahoma Basketball (@OU_MBBall) January 26, 2019
OU rolls over Vanderbilt, 86-55 in the #Big12SECChallenge.
➡️ https://t.co/h9yo5rnw8o #YouBelongHere pic.twitter.com/fwJId3qG3l
The fans in the building were not only treated to a lights-out performance from the basketball team, but the Sooners’ football team was also in the house to be honored for winning the 2018 Big 12 Championship. Grad transfer QB Jalen Hurts took part in the festivities in his first public appearance with his new team.
Jalen Hurts (@JalenHurts) made his first public appearance in Norman at the #Sooners basketball game — the student section was chanting his name as he walked off the court. pic.twitter.com/J3zU9O0Mdv
— Nate Feken (@TheGreat_Nate) January 26, 2019
Lincoln Riley, going into his third season as Oklahoma’s head coach, spent a moment to chat with the broadcast crew about Hurts and what he brings to the team.
Lincoln Riley talked about the addition of Jalen Hurts during the OU-Vanderbilt broadcast on ESPN.
— Sooner Gridiron (@soonergridiron) January 26, 2019
"He's been there before. He knows how to win big games."#OUDNA | #BoomerSooner pic.twitter.com/72GTXVT3u7
After coming off a season-low five points in Stillwater, Christian James led the way with 21 points on 8-15 shooting from the field. The senior set the tone from the jump in this one, and his team followed his pace throughout the contest.
In the first half, James was the early igniter on offense, knocking down his first two three-point attempts just minutes into the game. Later, it was Rashard Odomes’ turn to assert his will on the Commodores’ defense by driving to the paint and attacking the rim. A 19-0 run was capped off by back-to-back threes from Brady Manek. Oklahoma eventually led by as many as 21 before halftime and took a 41-23 lead into the break.
Brady Manek's second consecutive 3 has OU on a 19-0 run.#BoomerSooner pic.twitter.com/LT2N2IiTXM
— OUHoops (@ouhoops) January 26, 2019
In the second half, it was more of the same from the first 20 minutes of the ball game. The trio of James, Manek and Odomes scored 15 of the first 17 points to effectively send Oklahoma into cruise control. The bench crew then came in to seal the deal, as Miles Reynolds, Aaron Calixte and company finished the day with a combined 31 points.
Seeing guys likes Hannes Pöllä and Patrick Geha play during some real court action is always exciting for the guys who are in the regular rotation. This was an awesome sequence down the stretch.
Polla's block leads to a bucket by walk-on Patrick Geha.#BoomerSooner pic.twitter.com/okDCtMyqTm
— OUHoops (@ouhoops) January 26, 2019
Up next, Oklahoma has a quick turnaround as Big 12 play resumes on Monday, Jan. 28. Baylor (13-6, 4-2) comes to town after knocking off Alabama in its Big 12/SEC Challenge tilt. Last season, the Sooners split the two meetings with the Bears, with each team winning on its home court. BU is currently on a serious hot streak, winning its last four games, including a monster upset over a top 10 Texas Tech squad. Once again, this conference contest should prove to be formidable test for Lon Kruger’s group.
That 1⃣5⃣—5⃣ Feeling. #BoomerSooner pic.twitter.com/m9RkRN7JYs
— OUHoops (@ouhoops) January 26, 2019
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