OU Wins Hard Fought Battle Over UCF

ORLANDO, Fla. (AP) — Umoja Gibson scored 13 points, Elijah Harkless hit a big jumper in the final minute, and Oklahoma held off UCF 65-62 on Saturday.

Oklahoma led 63-54 after Tanner Groves made one of two free throws with 3:11 remaining in the second half. UCF quickly went on an 8-0 run as Darin Green Jr. hit a 3-pointer, Darius Perry made two free throws and Green made another 3-pointer.

Leading just 63-62 with 52 seconds left, Oklahoma worked the clock and Harkless connected for a 65-62 lead with 20 seconds to go. UCF struggled to find a shot on the ensuing possession and Tony Johnson Jr. missed in the paint with 2 seconds left. Harkless grabbed the rebound and time ran out.

Jordan Goldwire scored 12 points and Ethan Chargois 12 for the Sooners (6-1). Six players combined to score 63 of Oklahoma's 65 points.

Green led the Knights with 17 points, 15 of which came on 5 of 10 3-point shooting. Perry had 16 points and eight assists.

The Sooners made 55% from the field and UCF stayed close by making 11 of 24 3-pointers, shooting 45% overall.

The largest lead of the first half was a brief six-point advantage, 15-9, for the Sooners on the way to a 28-24 halftime edge. The Knights managed to keep it close despite shooting only 35% from the field.

PORTER MOSER ON THE WIN AND BENCH DEPTH

I think early wins count as much as late wins. UCF will be a tournament team. They have veterans and are older. They have got 90 percent of their team back and it's a great win on the road. We are getting better and found ways down the stretch. We played through some offensive mistakes. We must get some depth. Ethan Chargois off the bench gave us a great lift.

KEY STAT

Oklahoma controlled the paint on offense and scored 34 points to the Knights' 14.

UP NEXT

Oklahoma returns to Lloyd Noble Center to host Florida Wednesday, Dec. 1 at 7 p.m.

PORTER MOSER ON THE WIN AND BENCH DEPTH

KEY STAT

UP NEXT

Players Mentioned

Ethan Chargois

Umoja Gibson

Jordan Goldwire

Tanner Groves

Elijah Harkless

Sponsors

University of Oklahoma Athletics