This season, the Oklahoma Sooners found themselves paired with the Mississippi State Bulldogs as part of the Big 12/SEC Challenge. Showcasing the brand of basketball played here in the region, Lon Kruger deployed a bothersome . Holding the opponent to 33% shooting in the first half of play, the program carried a 38-30 lead into the break.
Stepping back out onto the hardwood, the task of securing a victory remained far from over. Knowing a push would soon come, the Sooners needed to find a way to weather the storm. With under five minutes to play in regulation, Mississippi State put together a run. Claiming the first lead of the afternoon, the Bulldogs posted 58 on the scoreboard to Oklahoma’s 57 points.
Responding to the challenge issued on the floor, OU utilized a four point run of their own to reclaim the edge with three minutes left. In close competition for the remainder of the way, only one team could reign victorious. That program proved to be OU with a 63-62 win.
What a win!#Sooners battle to the end, defeat Mississippi State 63-62 in the Big 12/Sec Challenge. pic.twitter.com/4rOz3Mf0E1
— Oklahoma Basketball (@OU_MBBall) January 25, 2020
Top Performers
Brady Manek once again led the charge in power five play. Netting a team high 18-points, the forward also ripped down six rebounds. On the defensive side of the court, the junior continued to make his presence felt. Hovering around the rim, Manek came up with two blocks.
Attempting to shoot himself out of a slump, Austin Reaves put up fourteen shot attempts. Connecting on three of those, the guard remains cold from beyond the arc without a single three pointer falling on the afternoon. Moving forward, it’s clear that the abilities of Reaves could dictate the season.
Off the bench, Alondes Williams provided a spark. Collecting 13 points of his own, Williams reached a career high. Is it a sign of things to come for the sharp shooting junior?