Oklahoma (12-5, 3-2) found their rhythm against TCU (12-5, 3-2) to the tune of an 83-63 victory.
Arguably their most complete game of the season, Lon Kruger’s squad allowed the Horned Frogs to have the lead for just 31 seconds.
Brady Manek started out hot and didn’t let up. The junior shot 7-of-9 from 3-point range, setting new career highs for points (31) and made 3s (seven) while exiting to a standing ovation with just under a minute left after making two free throws that put him in the 1,000 point club.
“It’s pretty cool,” Manek told reporters postgame.
Growing up as a fan of OU, the Sooners, and coming to games and now playing here and I’ve reached that mark. Got to give it up to my teammates over the years. They’ve found me. A lot of my points have been catch-and-shoot, so I got to give it up to them.”
Manek knew he was close, but was sweating out while at the free-throw line with under a minute left to officially hit the 1,000 point mark.
“I knew I was close. I didn’t know exactly how close, but I knew I was close,” Manek said. “We couldn’t get a guy subbed in over there and it was frustrating. I was ready to shoot the free throw.”
The frustration turned into laughter as he drew a collective chuckle out of Lon Kruger, Kristian Doolittle, Austin Reaves, and the media. Manek left the court after making both free throws to a standing ovation as the eighty-seven hundred fans were alerted to his achievement.
With three proficient scorers that can go off on any given night, it’s easy to keep feeding the hot hand. However, the Sooners did exactly the opposite. Oklahoma made the extra pass, finding the open man on what seemed like every possession. A season-high 20 assists, Oklahoma moved the ball effectively.
“I thought that was the best ball movement we’ve had for a while,” Kruger said postgame. “I thought guys did a really good job driving and kicking and making the extra pass. They’ve been doing a pretty good job of that, but you got to make shots to create the assist.”
The Sooners have a quick turnaround as they head to No. 2 Baylor (15-1, 5-0) on Monday night. The Bears got a scare on Saturday against Oklahoma State, leaving Stillwater, Okla. with a 75-68 win.
Oklahoma and Baylor will be broadcasted on ESPN at 8p.m. CT.
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