University of Oklahoma Athletics
Friday, November 18
Norman
7 PM
University of Oklahoma
3-1,0-0Big 12
64
vs
60
South Alabama
1-3,0-0Sun Belt
1
2
F
South Alabama
33
27
60
Oklahoma
30
34
64
Photo by: Ty Russell
Groves' Block Seals Comeback Victory Over South Alabama
November 18, 2022 | Men's Basketball
NORMAN – Jacob Groves drained the go-ahead 3-pointer with under three minutes left and delivered a thunderous block to secure the 64-60 victory for Oklahoma men's basketball (3-1, 0-0 Big 12) over visiting South Alabama (1-3, 0-0 Sun Belt) Friday night at Lloyd Noble Center.
"We did some good things," said Oklahoma head men's basketball coach Porter Moser. "We will get better. The biggest message coming out of here is finding a way to win and making some winning plays."
South Alabama extended its lead to four after a layup by Isaiah Moore with 5:18 remaining. Moore's basket would be the last points of the night for the Jaguars.
One minute later, Grant Sherfield buried Oklahoma's second 3-pointer of the game and brought the USA advantage to one
Following two missed shots by South Alabama, Groves buried the go-ahead three with only seconds left on the shot clock, giving Oklahoma the 62-60 lead.
With 30 seconds left, South Alabama forced a turnover and transitioned down the floor. USA's fastbreak dunk attempt was swatted by a flying Groves, sending the ball into Sherfield's hands.
Sherfield sealed the victory with a pair of free throws and finished the night 4-for-4 from the line. He led the Sooners with 17 points and added a game-high eight assists.
Tanner Groves dished out a career-best six assists and recorded a double-double, finishing with a season-high 15 points and 11 rebounds.
Sam Godwin and J. Groves scored nine points apiece.
The Sooners won the battle of the boards, outrebounding the Jaguars 39-23. OU tallied 16 assists and have recorded back-to-back games with 15-plus assists.
Oklahoma overcame a 12-point deficit early in the contest and finished the first half on an 11-2 run, entering halftime down 33-30.
"It was huge (overcoming the deficit)," said Moser. "Just kind of staying the course with everything and not panicking. Just trying to chip away at it. We talked about that during the last four minutes in the media timeout. Get stops and get good possessions. Down 12 there was no panic and we chipped away to get it down to three at half."
OU captured its first lead of the night after back-to-back baskets to open the second half.
"We did some good things," said Oklahoma head men's basketball coach Porter Moser. "We will get better. The biggest message coming out of here is finding a way to win and making some winning plays."
South Alabama extended its lead to four after a layup by Isaiah Moore with 5:18 remaining. Moore's basket would be the last points of the night for the Jaguars.
One minute later, Grant Sherfield buried Oklahoma's second 3-pointer of the game and brought the USA advantage to one
Following two missed shots by South Alabama, Groves buried the go-ahead three with only seconds left on the shot clock, giving Oklahoma the 62-60 lead.
With 30 seconds left, South Alabama forced a turnover and transitioned down the floor. USA's fastbreak dunk attempt was swatted by a flying Groves, sending the ball into Sherfield's hands.
Sherfield sealed the victory with a pair of free throws and finished the night 4-for-4 from the line. He led the Sooners with 17 points and added a game-high eight assists.
Tanner Groves dished out a career-best six assists and recorded a double-double, finishing with a season-high 15 points and 11 rebounds.
Sam Godwin and J. Groves scored nine points apiece.
The Sooners won the battle of the boards, outrebounding the Jaguars 39-23. OU tallied 16 assists and have recorded back-to-back games with 15-plus assists.
Oklahoma overcame a 12-point deficit early in the contest and finished the first half on an 11-2 run, entering halftime down 33-30.
"It was huge (overcoming the deficit)," said Moser. "Just kind of staying the course with everything and not panicking. Just trying to chip away at it. We talked about that during the last four minutes in the media timeout. Get stops and get good possessions. Down 12 there was no panic and we chipped away to get it down to three at half."
OU captured its first lead of the night after back-to-back baskets to open the second half.
UP NEXT
Oklahoma travels to Kissimmee, Fla., to compete in the ESPN Events Invitational Nov. 24-27 at State Farm Field House.
Team Stats
USA
OU
FG%
.429
.436
3FG%
.278
.176
FT%
.778
.765
RB
23
39
TO
7
11
STL
6
3
Game Leaders
Scoring
Pts
17
FGM
6
3FGM
1
FTM
4
Pts
15
FGM
6
3FGM
0
FTM
3
Pts
9
FGM
3
3FGM
0
FTM
3
Pts
9
FGM
4
3FGM
1
FTM
0
Players Mentioned
F
/ Men's BasketballF
/ Men's BasketballF/C
/ Men's BasketballG
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