As the Oklahoma Sooners collided with the Texas Longhorns in Norman, it was clear that Shaka Smart communicated the importance of a win. Looking to claim a spot in the NCAA Tournament, Mo Bamba clamped down, setting the tone defensively. The effort held Trae Young and the rest of the scorers to 30.8% shooting from the floor while producing a 77-66 win.
On the other hand, the Sooners have now suffered a fifth consecutive loss. Despite the dismal shooting performance, Oklahoma found a way to remain close for a majority of the game. Taking twenty-two trips to the free throw line, Lon Kruger’s squad knocked down eighteen of those attempts. In combination, the Sooner defense forced fifteen turnovers turning them into sixteen points.
In terms of scoring, Young continues to pace the nation at 29.1 points per game. The freshman is not in jeopardy of losing the scoring title any time soon and posted a 27-point outing on Saturday. Dishing out seven assists, the youngster remained just shy of his averages against the Longhorns.
Joining in the scoring effort, Christian James netted eleven points as the two were the only two Sooners in double digits.
Up next, Oklahoma looks to right the ship with another win over a ranked opponent in the Kansas Jayhawks on the road.