Oklahoma Sooners blow late lead, fall in season opener to Sam Houston State

The Oklahoma Sooners go cold late in the second half, drop their season opener 52-51 to the Sam Houston State Bearkats. From @bendackiw

This is not the start that Porter Moser envisioned for his second year at the University of Oklahoma.

OU turned the ball over 21 times and shot just 37.2% from the field and were outrebounded by six on the offensive glass. Neither team found much success from three-point range; both teams shot just over 26%.

Oklahoma took a seven-point lead into halftime and looked to be running away with the game late in the second half.

With just over five minutes to play, Tanner Groves hit a layup to put the Sooners up by 12. Then Oklahoma went cold, scoring just five points and hitting just two field goals down the stretch.

The Sooners were outscored 18-5 over the final five minutes by Sam Houston in the stunning upset. Turnovers and a poor shooting night ultimately sunk the Sooners in their season opener.

Nevada transfer Grant Sherfield had a solid night for the Sooners. He led the way with 14 points on 5 of 8 shooting. He was 2 of 3 from three and had five rebounds and two assists on the game. Sherfield was a bright spot on an otherwise disappointing night for the Sooners.

Starters Jalen Hill and C.J. Noland combined for one point on 0 for 12 shooting.

The Groves brothers had a bit more success. They had 11 points apiece, and Tanner grabbed nine rebounds on the evening. Jacob was a perfect 4 for 4 from the free throw line and added five rebounds.

OU will have Arkansas-Pine Bluff on Friday night for game two of this young season. The Lions gave the No. 14 TCU Horned Frogs all they could handle but lost 73-72.

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