After possibly looking past Butler on Tuesday night Oklahoma traveled to Tulsa laser focused to take on 12th ranked, and undefeated, Arkansas. The Sooners led from wire to wire in this game as they jumped out to a 13-0 lead in the first four and a half minutes of the game. Fighting Arkansas back multiple times, OU was able to keep the Hogs at an arm’s distance thanks to double digit scoring from all five members of the starting five.
Game Defining Moment
Arkansas made a strong push in the second half, closing what had been a 38-52 deficit to just 47-52 with 12:14 remaining. The Hogs would go on another run to close the gap even further when a pair of free throws by JD Notae made it a one-possession game at 57-54 with 9:55 remaining. That’s when the Sooners responded with a run of their own that would ultimately put the game away. Thanks in part to three-consecutive three-point shots from Jalen Hill, Tanner Groves and Mo Gibson, OU went on a 21-3 run over the next six minutes and forty-six seconds to pull away to a 76-57 lead with three and a half minutes to play.
On Fire!
The Sooners actually shot better from three-point range than they did from the floor in general. OU sank 59.1% of its three-point shots on the day (13-of-22) and had a 54.9% field goal percentage from the floor all together.
All five of Oklahoma’s starters made at least one three-point shot in the game. Mo Gibson was 4-of-7 from long range to lead the team.
Wait…What?
Oklahoma was actually whistled for one more personal foul that Arkansas was, 19 to 18, and yet Hogs coach Eric Musselman was so enraged over a call that he didn’t get that it actually ended up in a double-technical foul and ejection.
Rising To The Challenge
Coming into the game Arkansas was touted for the way they beat opponents on the glass and limited second chance points. The Sooners outrebounded the Razorbacks by a margin of 36-29.
The Problem Child
Arkansas guard Davonte Davis led all scorers with 26 points. He also pulled down five rebounds and dished out three assists in 26 minutes of playing time.
The Hero
On a night where all five of Oklahoma’s starters scored in double figures, Elijah Harkless led the way by scoring 21 points and grabbing 11 boards in a double-double performance. Harkless also dished out four assists.