University of Oklahoma Athletics
Saturday, December 17
Norman
2 PM
University of Oklahoma
8-3,0-0Big 12
87
vs
66
Central Arkansas
5-6,0-0ASUN
1
2
F
Central Ark.
30
36
66
Oklahoma
52
35
87
Groves' Career Day Propels OU Over UCA
December 17, 2022 | Men's Basketball
NORMAN – Jacob Groves scored a career-high 26 points to lead Oklahoma men's basketball (8-3, 0-0 Big 12) to an 87-66 victory over Central Arkansas (5-6, 0-0 ASUN) Saturday afternoon at Lloyd Noble Center.
Groves finished 10 of 13 from the field and 4 of 6 from deep. He added three assists and three steals. Grant Sherfield extended his OU double-digit point streak to 11 games and scored 17 points on 6 of 9 shooting, including three 3-pointers. Tanner Groves wrangled a team-high seven boards and added 14 points. Otega Oweh reached double figures for the first time in his OU career and scored 10 points on 5 of 5 shooting.
"He [Jacob Groves] has an extreme confidence going right now in his game," said Oklahoma head men's basketball coach Porter Moser. "You know what I love? He missed his first one and it didn't affect him. He got a couple of easy ones inside then outside. He is playing with a lot of confidence."
The Sooners raced out to an early lead and held a 14-4 advantage into the first media timeout. J. Groves put together an 8-0 run over a one-minute span and closed his offensive spurt with back-to-back 3-pointers.
Oklahoma continued to fire on all cylinders and pushed its lead to 15 before Central Arkansas' Camren Hunter buried a three with five minutes left in the half.
Sam Godwin scored on the next possession and the Sooners went back to the hot hand. J. Groves scored nine points during the two-minute stretch, including a thunderous dunk after he swiped an errant UCA pass. Sherfield concluded OU's offensive onslaught with a jumper, giving the Sooners the 49-21 advantage.
UCA put together a run of its own over the final two minutes of the half, bringing the OU lead to under 20. C.J. Noland rattled in a 3-pointer with a few seconds left to give OU its largest halftime lead of the season.
Th Sooners continued to control the pace in the final 20 minutes. OU saw its lead briefly dip to 13 with under nine minutes remaining.
Following an Oklahoma timeout, Oweh scored on back-to-back possessions. Noland and Sherfield each added baskets and Oweh capped the spurt with a fastbreak dunk.
Despite being down 23, UCA did not quit. The Bears cut the OU lead back to 16 with 2:27 left.
Noland drained his second 3-pointer of the night to stop the UCA momentum. Oweh recorded the last points of the day, scoring on a layup and securing his first double-digit point game.
The Sooners shot a season-best 63.6% (35-55) from the field and finished 50% (9-18) from three. OU recorded a season-high 21 assists.
Groves finished 10 of 13 from the field and 4 of 6 from deep. He added three assists and three steals. Grant Sherfield extended his OU double-digit point streak to 11 games and scored 17 points on 6 of 9 shooting, including three 3-pointers. Tanner Groves wrangled a team-high seven boards and added 14 points. Otega Oweh reached double figures for the first time in his OU career and scored 10 points on 5 of 5 shooting.
"He [Jacob Groves] has an extreme confidence going right now in his game," said Oklahoma head men's basketball coach Porter Moser. "You know what I love? He missed his first one and it didn't affect him. He got a couple of easy ones inside then outside. He is playing with a lot of confidence."
The Sooners raced out to an early lead and held a 14-4 advantage into the first media timeout. J. Groves put together an 8-0 run over a one-minute span and closed his offensive spurt with back-to-back 3-pointers.
Oklahoma continued to fire on all cylinders and pushed its lead to 15 before Central Arkansas' Camren Hunter buried a three with five minutes left in the half.
Sam Godwin scored on the next possession and the Sooners went back to the hot hand. J. Groves scored nine points during the two-minute stretch, including a thunderous dunk after he swiped an errant UCA pass. Sherfield concluded OU's offensive onslaught with a jumper, giving the Sooners the 49-21 advantage.
UCA put together a run of its own over the final two minutes of the half, bringing the OU lead to under 20. C.J. Noland rattled in a 3-pointer with a few seconds left to give OU its largest halftime lead of the season.
Th Sooners continued to control the pace in the final 20 minutes. OU saw its lead briefly dip to 13 with under nine minutes remaining.
Following an Oklahoma timeout, Oweh scored on back-to-back possessions. Noland and Sherfield each added baskets and Oweh capped the spurt with a fastbreak dunk.
Despite being down 23, UCA did not quit. The Bears cut the OU lead back to 16 with 2:27 left.
Noland drained his second 3-pointer of the night to stop the UCA momentum. Oweh recorded the last points of the day, scoring on a layup and securing his first double-digit point game.
The Sooners shot a season-best 63.6% (35-55) from the field and finished 50% (9-18) from three. OU recorded a season-high 21 assists.
UP NEXT
Oklahoma travels to Charlotte, N.C., for the inaugural Jumpman Invitational against Florida on Dec. 20.
Team Stats
UCA
OU
FG%
.446
.636
3FG%
.324
.500
FT%
.833
.727
RB
23
29
TO
13
11
STL
5
7
Game Leaders
Scoring
Pts
26
FGM
10
3FGM
4
FTM
2
Pts
17
FGM
6
3FGM
3
FTM
2
Pts
14
FGM
6
3FGM
0
FTM
2
Pts
10
FGM
5
3FGM
0
FTM
0
Players Mentioned
F
/ Men's BasketballF
/ Men's BasketballF/C
/ Men's Basketball
G
/ Men's BasketballG
/ Men's BasketballG
/ Men's BasketballNBA Draft: Jeremiah Fears R1, P7 – Pelicans
Thursday, June 26
Make Your Case: Kobe vs Steph
Monday, June 02
MBB: It's Time to Dance
Friday, March 21
Porter Moser Selection Sunday
Sunday, March 16
