NCAA News Wire

Oklahoma 97, TCU 67

Alan Draper profile picture
Sports Editor
Disclosure
We sometimes use affiliate links in our content, when clicking on those we might receive a commission – at no extra cost to you. By using this website you agree to our terms and conditions and privacy policy.

FORT WORTH, Texas — The Oklahoma Sooners locked down the No. 2 seed in the Big 12 Tournament by taking care of business at last-place TCU.

Sooners guard Buddy Hield scored 24 points to lead the way as No. 23 Oklahoma stomped the Horned Frogs 97-67 on Saturday at Daniel-Meyer Coliseum.

Hield hit a 3-pointer at the first-half buzzer and two more early in the second half, helping Oklahoma (22-8, 12-6 Big 12) establish a 24-point lead with 15:09 left.

The Sooners, who came into the game tied with Texas for second in the Big 12, swept the Longhorns, giving Oklahoma the No. 2 seed in the Big 12 Tournament beginning Wednesday in Kansas City.

Oklahoma also finished off TCU’s winless trek through the Big 12 regular season. The Horned Frogs (9-21, 0-18) have won two games in their first two seasons in the Big 12.

Hield hit 5 of 8 3-pointers on his way to a game-high 24 points and forward Cameron Clark had 18, as did guard Isaiah Cousins. The Sooners shot 51 percent from the field, made 14 3-poiners and out-rebounded TCU 44-30.

TCU senior forward Jarvis Ray led the Horned Frogs with 18 points and guard Kyan Anderson added 17.

Oklahoma reserve forward Tyler Neal hit a 3-pointer at the 11:29 mark of the first half to cap the Sooners’ 14-3 run that gave them their first double-digit lead at 23-13.

The Sooners threatened to run away in the first half, pushing their lead to 13 points when forward Ryan Spangler scored on an assist from Clark. But TCU pushed back with 3-pointers by forward Brandon Parrish and Anderson.

It took until a surge at the end of the first half for Oklahoma to exert firm control. Cousins hit a 3-pointer with 1:15 left, Clark knocked down a jumper from just outside the lane and Hield nailed a 3-pointer at the first-half buzzer to finish an 8-0 run and give the Sooners a 15-point lead at the break.

Both teams shot well in the first half, but TCU’s 43 percent from the field couldn’t keep up with Oklahoma shooting 57 percent. The Sooners also out-rebounded the Horned Frogs 19-11.

Oklahoma’s balanced scoring showed up in the first half as Hield finished the first 20 minutes with 13 points, Spangler and Clark each had 10 and Cousins scored eight.

NOTES: Oklahoma holds a 13-2 advantage in the series against TCU, but the last two have been battles. The Sooners lost at TCU last season, then shook off TCU in the final three minutes for a 77-69 win over the Horned Frogs in Norman, Okla., earlier this season. … Oklahoma won four of five before Saturday, making at least 10 3-pointers in all four wins. … TCU entered the game with a 2-34 record in its first two seasons in the Big 12. The victories, both last season, were a 62-55 victory over No. 5 Kansas and a 70-67 defeat of Oklahoma in the regular-season finale. … TCU was playing its final game in Daniel-Meyer Coliseum for the next 18 months as a $59-million renovation will begin immediately after the season.

Alan is an expert gambling writer who works as one of the chief editors for Basketball Insiders. He has been covering online gambling and sports betting for over 8 years, having written for the likes of Sportlens, Compare.bet, The Sports Daily, 90min, and TopRatedCasinos.co.uk. His particular specialisms include US online casinos and gambling regulations, and soccer and basketball betting. Based in London, Alan holds an MA in English Literature and is a passionate supporter of Chelsea FC.

Trending Now