University of Oklahoma Athletics
Thursday, December 28
Norman
6 PM
University of Oklahoma
11-1,0-0Big 12
88
vs
72
Central Arkansas
3-11,0-0ASUN
1
2
F
Central Ark.
42
30
72
Oklahoma
50
38
88
McCollum Leads Sooners Past Central Arkansas
December 28, 2023 | Men's Basketball
NORMAN (AP) — Javian McCollum scored 23 points and Otega Oweh added 16 as No. 12 Oklahoma bounced back from its first loss of the season with an 88-72 win over Central Arkansas on Thursday night.
Sam Godwin scored 14 points and Jalon Moore had 12 points and nine rebounds for the Sooners (11-1), who were back in action for the first time since losing 81-69 to then-No. 11 North Carolina on Dec. 20.
Oklahoma played its worst game of the season against the Tar Heels after climbing to No. 7 in The Associated Press Top 25 poll, shooting a season-low 40.4% and committing a season-high 18 turnovers.
The Sooners missed five of their first seven shots against Central Arkansas (3-11) and trailed 12-8 after five minutes. But OU found its shooting touch after that and led 50-42 at halftime on the strength of 18 points by McCollum, who made 4 of 5 shots from beyond the arc.
"There's always Christmas slough," said Oklahoma coach Porter Moser, referring to the extended layoff between games. "You go home, there's fuzzy stockings and goodies ... everything's nice.
"It was short turnaround playing the 28th ... but in hindsight, you get growth in life through struggle. The fact that we struggled a little bit tonight is only going to help us with teaching moments the next 48 hours."
Oklahoma went on a 15-2 run to extend the lead to 71-55 with 11 minutes left. The Bears rallied by scoring the next 11 points and closing within 71-66.
The Sooners tightened their defense and closed out the game on a 17-6 run. Oklahoma shot 52% from the field and made 10 of 22 3-pointers (45%).
"I thought our guys really responded in the second half defensively," Moser said. "That's where I thought we had a big jump."
Oklahoma, which forced 20 turnovers, got eight points in the second half from senior Le'Tre Darthard, who surpassed the 1,000-point mark for his college career.
"I just try to help my team out in any way I can," said Darthard, a transfer from Utah Valley. "If that's making shots or getting stops that's what I try to do."
Johannes Kirsipuu scored 16 points to lead four players in double figures for Central Arkansas, which shot 47% from the field.
Before the game, OU held a moment of silence for former two-sport star Ryan Minor. Players wore shooting shirts with Minor's name and No. 12 on the back during warmups.
The 49-year-old Minor died of cancer on Dec. 22. He pitched and played first base and helped the Sooners win a national title in baseball in 1994 and was named Big Eight Player of the Year in 1995 on the basketball court.
Sam Godwin scored 14 points and Jalon Moore had 12 points and nine rebounds for the Sooners (11-1), who were back in action for the first time since losing 81-69 to then-No. 11 North Carolina on Dec. 20.
Oklahoma played its worst game of the season against the Tar Heels after climbing to No. 7 in The Associated Press Top 25 poll, shooting a season-low 40.4% and committing a season-high 18 turnovers.
The Sooners missed five of their first seven shots against Central Arkansas (3-11) and trailed 12-8 after five minutes. But OU found its shooting touch after that and led 50-42 at halftime on the strength of 18 points by McCollum, who made 4 of 5 shots from beyond the arc.
"There's always Christmas slough," said Oklahoma coach Porter Moser, referring to the extended layoff between games. "You go home, there's fuzzy stockings and goodies ... everything's nice.
"It was short turnaround playing the 28th ... but in hindsight, you get growth in life through struggle. The fact that we struggled a little bit tonight is only going to help us with teaching moments the next 48 hours."
Oklahoma went on a 15-2 run to extend the lead to 71-55 with 11 minutes left. The Bears rallied by scoring the next 11 points and closing within 71-66.
The Sooners tightened their defense and closed out the game on a 17-6 run. Oklahoma shot 52% from the field and made 10 of 22 3-pointers (45%).
"I thought our guys really responded in the second half defensively," Moser said. "That's where I thought we had a big jump."
Oklahoma, which forced 20 turnovers, got eight points in the second half from senior Le'Tre Darthard, who surpassed the 1,000-point mark for his college career.
"I just try to help my team out in any way I can," said Darthard, a transfer from Utah Valley. "If that's making shots or getting stops that's what I try to do."
Johannes Kirsipuu scored 16 points to lead four players in double figures for Central Arkansas, which shot 47% from the field.
Before the game, OU held a moment of silence for former two-sport star Ryan Minor. Players wore shooting shirts with Minor's name and No. 12 on the back during warmups.
The 49-year-old Minor died of cancer on Dec. 22. He pitched and played first base and helped the Sooners win a national title in baseball in 1994 and was named Big Eight Player of the Year in 1995 on the basketball court.
UP NEXT
Oklahoma hosts Monmouth on Sunday, Dec. 31 at 2 p.m.
Team Stats
UCA
OU
FG%
.474
.517
3FG%
.333
.455
FT%
.786
.727
RB
31
33
TO
17
10
STL
7
8
Game Leaders
Scoring
Pts
23
FGM
9
3FGM
5
FTM
0
Pts
16
FGM
6
3FGM
1
FTM
3
Pts
14
FGM
4
3FGM
0
FTM
6
Pts
12
FGM
4
3FGM
0
FTM
4
Players Mentioned
G
/ Men's BasketballF
/ Men's BasketballG
/ Men's BasketballF
/ 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
