The Sooners are in the championship round of the Myrtle Beach Invitational thanks to possibly its most complete performance of the season in an 87-63 win over Indiana State on Friday afternoon. The Groves brothers combined for 35 points as Oklahoma turned an early deficit into a second half rout by applying defensive pressure and clearing the boards.
Joining the Groves brothers in double figure scoring were Jordan Goldwire (14) and Mo Gibson (11). Tanner Groves led Oklahoma with 24 points and his younger brother Jacob led the bench scorers with 11.
The Game Defining Moment
Oklahoma got off to a slow start but eventually found its rhythm. The Sooners trailed the Sycamores 10-6 at the 13:38 mark of the first half but promptly went on a 13-0 run over the next three minutes and fifty-three seconds to lead 19-10 at the 9:45 mark and 38-30 at the half. Jordan Goldwire scored six of Oklahoma’s thirteen points in that span and the run was a precursor to what was coming in the second half as OU outscored Indiana State 49-33 over the final 20 minutes.
Wait…What?
Part of the reason why this could be considered to be Oklahoma’s most complete performance of the season was the way they moved the ball around the floor. The Sooners recorded 20 assists in the game with each member of the starting five having at least two to their credit. Elijah Harkless led the way with five dimes.
Banging The Boards…Again
Indiana State was the third consecutive opponent that the Sooners have outrebounded. Oklahoma bested the Sycamores on the glass by a margin of 42-28 on Thursday.
Grand Larceny
Freshman CJ Noland and senior Mo Gibson recorded three steals each and led the way for the Sooners to have ten total steals in a game where they forced 16 turnovers by Indiana State.
Still Sloppy
The turnover bug is still plaguing Oklahoma. Despite the 4-0 start to the season this is an alarming trend. The Sooners turned the ball over 16 times against East Carolina on Thursday and then 14 times against Indiana State on Friday. That’s going to be an issue that Porter Moser stresses with the team on Saturday before they play in the tournament championship on Sunday.
The Problem Child
Indiana State’s Cameron Henry shot 10-of-19 from the floor to lead all scorers with 25 points in the game. He also pulled down eight rebounds, dished four assists, produced four steals, and blocked two shots.
The Hero
Tanner Groves had his most productive game for the Sooners with 24 points and 8 rebounds. He also dished out three assists, blocked a shot, and recorded a steal.
Up Next
The Sooners will play Utah State in Sunday’s championship game of the Myrtle Beach Invitational. Tip in that game is scheduled for 2:00 and it will be aired on ESPN2.
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