NORMAN – Oklahoma men's basketball opened the
Porter Moser era with a 106-57 victory over Rogers State at Lloyd Noble Center in the Sooners lone exhibition of the 2021-22 schedule.
OU dominated every facet of the game against the Hillcats and held the lead for all but 18 seconds. The Sooners finished the contest shooting 69.6 percent from the field, while holding Rogers State to 40.4 percent overall and only 30.4 percent in the second half.
Oklahoma tallied an impressive 66.7 percent (18 of 27) from 3-point range.
"We want to space it, and we want to shoot it," said Moser. "I don't think we took to many bad threes. I think we have to be able to shoot and we have to drive and close out."
OU received 58 points from its bench, which was sparked by
Jacob Groves' 20 points in 17 minutes of action. Groves finished 7-for-7 from the field and 6-for-6 from 3-point range.
Umoja Gibson added 19 points and matched Groves with a perfect night behind the arc, finishing 4-for-4.
Elijah Harkless and CJ Noland each pitched in 13 points to round out the group of OU scorers in double figures.
Noland, a freshman from Waxahachie, Texas, hit a 3-pointer to push the Sooners score to 102 and led OU in minutes played (20:13).
"I like their (freshmen) confidence and aggressiveness," said Moser. "Like all freshmen they have to get stronger with the physicality of the game."
OU held a 53-32 advantage at the half and matched that output in the second, while holding RSU to just 25 points to finish the game.
"I like their attitudes and effort defensively," said Moser. "It is a huge start with their willingness to play that hard."
In addition to their offense prowess, Oklahoma outrebounded RSU 33-20 and forced 14 turnovers, which resulted in 22 points.
UP NEXT
Oklahoma hosts Northwestern State for the Sooners' regular season home opener Nov. 9 at 7 p.m., at Lloyd Noble Center.