A win is a win, even if it is ugly. This was an absolutely must-win game for Oklahoma. The Sooners never trailed in this game but West Virginia never went away. With 12:25 left in the game, the Sooners grabbed their largest lead, up by 9. Six minutes later, but West Virginia cut it to 3. Jalen Hill hit 4 crucial free throws late in the game to help Oklahoma get the victory. The Sooners won this game by a final score of 77-76. The Sooners held a 4-point lead with 15 seconds before Seth Wilson hit a meaningless three to end the game. Porter Moser talked about the final minute of the game saying, “We got back-to-back stops in the last minute and it’s going to come to that.” “You can’t ask for anything more than doing it like to get the confidence to pulling it out down the close ones,” said Porter Moser.
Grant Sherfield led the way for the Sooners with 22 points, 4 rebounds, and 5 assists. Sherfield had 22 on a night where he went 5-15 from the field. Sherfield did a very good job getting to the free throw line, he went 9-11 from the line. “We’re better when he is in that 5+ assist category cause there keying on him and then he can give it up I know he missed some shots that he wish he had back but the bottom line is he wants to get to that foul line in the end and he is just an outstanding free throw shooter,” said Moser.
Jalen Hill totaled 14 points and 6 rebounds. Hill was 5-5 from the field and 4-4 from the free throw line. Milos Uzan had 11 points, 9 rebounds, and 5 assists in 38 minutes. “He was able to go downhill so fast like when you’re up in him he’s got that long first step and he can do some things,” said Moser. “Los’s confidence to go by guys make the right pass assist just eases up everybody,” said Moser.
Tanner Groves was very efficient today and had 8 points on 100% shooting. Groves struggled a bit defensively but overall played solid today. “Man it was so great for him to see it go in at key times,” said Moser. “He was looking to pass and facilitate so much that I’m glad he hit that because we need Tanner to score,” Moser said. CJ Noland continued his excellent play off of the bench. Noland had 6 points on 2 three-pointers. “Great to see him continue with confidence and you know what I like he made a really good assist like really good assist that’s not just one of those reverse the ball guy hits a 3 you get the assist that’s not what that was he had a paint touch assist I think it was a drop off to Sam,” said Moser.
“Every game is going to be like this and it‘s that margin for error is small on either side I really believe West Virginia could be 5-0,” said Moser. Oklahoma moves to 2-3 in conference sitting in 6th place behind 5 top 17 teams. This was a huge win for the Sooners. Next up is Oklahoma State on Wednesday, January 18th at 8 pm in Stillwater.
Cover photo credits to Sooner sports
