The Oklahoma Sooners made a major statement on Wednesday night, taking down the No. 15 Missouri Tigers 96-84 at Lloyd Noble Center. Freshman guard Jeremiah Fears put on a show, scoring a career-high 31 points to lead the Sooners to a much-needed win that could significantly boost their NCAA Tournament hopes.
This victory marks Oklahoma’s fifth win over a Top 25 opponent this season, with Missouri being the highest-ranked team they have defeated. The Sooners (18-12, 5-12 SEC) had dropped back-to-back close games against Kentucky and Ole Miss, making this victory even more crucial.
First-Half Domination Sets the Tone
Oklahoma came out firing, shooting a blistering 69% from the field in the first half—their best shooting performance in an opening half this season. The Sooners took a 50-37 lead into the break, fueled by strong starts from both Fears and senior forward Sam Godwin. Godwin, playing in his final home game, scored 12 points on a perfect 5-of-5 shooting before suffering a knee injury late in the first half. He did not return, instead spending the second half on the bench with an ice pack and knee brace.
Missouri (21-9, 10-7 SEC) struggled to keep up with Oklahoma’s hot shooting. The Tigers had beaten the Sooners decisively, 82-58, in their first meeting on February 12, but this time around, the script was flipped. Mark Mitchell led Missouri with 18 points, while Caleb Grill added 16 points and eight rebounds.
Fears Steps Up in the Spotlight
With Godwin sidelined, Fears took control. The freshman guard scored in a variety of ways, hitting contested jumpers, finishing at the rim, and knocking down all 12 of his free throw attempts. His impact was felt early in the second half when he opened the period with a steal and breakaway dunk, setting the tone for Oklahoma to maintain control.
Late in the game, with Missouri threatening a comeback, Fears delivered the dagger. With 47 seconds remaining, he drove the length of the floor, finished a layup, drew a foul, and converted the free throw to push the lead back to 92-78. His stellar performance included five assists and four rebounds to go along with his game-high 31 points.
Supporting Cast Steps Up
Without Godwin, Oklahoma needed big contributions from its bench. Mohamed Wague stepped up in a significant way, providing a strong inside presence. Wague finished with 12 points, four rebounds, and went a perfect 4-for-4 from both the field and the free throw line.
Luke Northweather also provided valuable minutes, helping Oklahoma maintain their lead when Missouri applied full-court pressure in the second half. The Sooners, who had been averaging 12.6 turnovers per game, committed just nine turnovers on the night—one of their cleanest performances of the season.
Key Takeaways
Missouri: Defensive Struggles Continue
The Tigers have now given up at least 90 points in four of their last five games, an alarming trend heading into the postseason. Despite getting solid offensive production from Mitchell and Grill, their inability to slow down Oklahoma’s offense proved costly.
Oklahoma: Tournament Hopes Stay Alive
With Selection Sunday approaching, Oklahoma is right on the NCAA Tournament bubble. Their 5-12 SEC record remains a concern, but this win gives them six Quad 1 victories—an essential metric for the selection committee.
Key Moments
- Fast Start by Godwin: Before his injury, Godwin provided the early spark, scoring eight of Oklahoma’s first 10 points.
- Fears’ Clutch Play: His and-one layup in the final minute sealed the victory.
- Wague’s Second-Half Surge: The big man scored six straight points during a key stretch to halt Missouri’s momentum.
By the Numbers
- 69% – Oklahoma’s field goal percentage in the first half, their best of the season.
- 9 – Total turnovers by the Sooners, well below their season average.
- 25-of-26 – Oklahoma’s free throw shooting, including 19-of-20 in the second half.
What’s Next?
Missouri will wrap up its regular season at home against No. 19 Kentucky on Saturday. Meanwhile, Oklahoma will face Texas in Austin, looking to bolster its tournament resume even further before heading into the SEC Tournament.
This win over a ranked opponent keeps the Sooners’ postseason hopes alive, but they’ll need to build on this momentum. If they can secure another big win against Texas or make a run in the SEC Tournament, they could hear their name called on Selection Sunday.
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