Finally.
On the back of Kristian Doolittle, Oklahoma (15-8, 5-5) finally climbed over the proverbial hump. His 27 points and 12 rebounds gave him his sixth career double-double and the Sooners their tenth home win of the season.
The Sooners have had close calls against No. 3 Kansas, No. 1 Baylor, and had a tough loss to Texas Tech in the week that was accompanied by a 10-hour bus ride home from Lubbock, Texas. Welcoming No. 13 ranked West Virginia (18-5, 6-4) to Norman, Okla., it felt like the Sooners had their backs against the wall, needing to claw their way to keep their NCAA Tournament hopes alive.
Oklahoma did just that.
Doolittle willed the Sooners to a seven-point halftime lead, thanks to his 14 points. Both he and Brady Manek combined for the first 17 points from Oklahoma.
“Whenever we can get them going, that’s good for our team,” Jamal Bienimey said postgame. “I think that led the way throughout the rest of the game and carried us, helped us today.”
Doolittle continued to be a catalyst on both ends of the floor in the closing 20-minutes. Alongside his points and rebounds, Doolittle dished out an assist, a block, and grabbed two steals. While opening an 18-point lead, Doolittle and De’Vion Harmon were always leading the way on fast breaks.
Causing the fast breaks was Oklahoma’s incredible defense, something Bob Huggins saw more of a flaw on the Mountaineers’ end rather than the Sooners’ abilities.
“We missed 22 shots within two feet of the basket. Seems impossible, but we missed 22 shots within two feet of the basket,” Huggins said postgame.
The Sooners forced West Virginia to shoot just under 32% despite the fact that the Mountaineers outshot Oklahoma 76-49.
Oklahoma finally proved that they can compete with teams bigger and better than them, all they need is one good outing. The performance bodes well for the Sooners as the NCAA Tournament creeps ever closer. Projected as a 10-seed earlier today, Oklahoma’s win over projected two-seed West Virginia can only better their chances come March.
All the cards are face-up from here on out for the Sooners as they host Iowa State on Wednesday at 8p.m. on ESPN.
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