January 29, 2022 Issue, Page 4 of 10

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4 January 29, 2022 Sports OU men’s basketball: Groves brothers combine for 33 as Sooners hold off West Virginia Jesse Crittenden, The Nor- It was the spark the Soon- him. He doesn’t care because that he can see going in. really nice things in a tough, well. Jacob [Groves] was do- man Transcript ers needed to snap their four- he’s a big-time team guy, but “The first practice we went tough [environment],” Moser ing well. We were just trying to game skid, beating West Vir- I think just [this] game helped live on Monday, I think the said. “Not a lot of freshmen are give a different vantage point With a few seconds remain- ginia, 72-62, in Morgantown his confidence.” first four possessions he de- gonna come into this atmo- for [Harkless]. Maybe coming ing before halftime, Jacob Wednesday. Tanner Groves had a big manded the ball, hit a three, sphere with that kind of heat. off the bench might help. Groves caught the ball a few The game also marked the offensive night, too. He has scored inside. I mean, he Those were some older guys. steps inside halfcourt. first time Jacob Groves ap- struggled in recent games, but scored like four [baskets]. You Man, they were coming at it. “He’s been a big part of what He heaved it towards the peared in the starting lineup OU coach Porter Moser made could just see he had that con- Good group win, guys believ- we’re doing. We’re gonna be goal as time expired, and it alongside his brother, Tan- it a point to get him the ball fidence back as he saw a couple ing they could come in here counting on him moving for- dropped smoothly into the ner, since their playing days early against West Virginia. of them go in against Baylor. and win.” ward.” net. The shot not only gave at Eastern Washington. Their He went into halftime with So it was really good to see him One noticeable change was The hope for Moser is that the Sooners momentum after last start as a duo came against 13 points — more than he back, confident. He did a lot of Moser opting to bring Harkless the Sooners’ can build off their West Virginia made a layup on Kansas in last season’s NCAA scored in each of the past four good things, finishing for us, off the bench. Harkless, who third straight win in Morgan- the other end, it pushed the tournament, where they com- games — and finished the [he] knocked down a [3-point- had started every game head- Sooners lead to eight going bined for 68 points. game with 21 points on 9-of- er]. ing into Wednesday, played town. into halftime. “It was pretty incredible hav- 11 shooting to lead all players. The Sooners led for most just four minutes before two “Just excited for the guys to It was that kind of night for ing Jake back in the lineup,” Most of his baskets came at of the game, but the Moun- early fouls kept him on the kind of stop the bleeding but the junior. Tanner Groves said. “... It kind the rim, and that’s what Moser taineers made one final run bench. also get a big win,” Moser said. Jacob Groves made the first of just felt like old times back wanted to see. to cut OU’s lead to six points. “He’s healthy and Elijah is “That win is gonna be there on start of his OU career — start- at Eastern Washington. It just “I think we saw it in the sec- But with Tanner Groves and gonna be a huge part of what our sheet. We’re going to build ing in favor of Elijah Harkless felt great. I think Jake being in ond half of Baylor [last Satur- Jordan Goldwire dealing with we’re doing,” Moser said. “To- off it.” — and he made the most of the starting lineup gave him a day]. ... He made a couple in foul trouble, Bijan Cortes led night was a thing where I it. He scored a season-high 12 little bit of confidence. the second half and he’s been the Sooners down the stretch, shook up the lineup. I told him Next points on 4-of-6 shooting, in- “Moving forward, whether kind of pressing,” Moser said. scoring the final four points of he was gonna play. He got in The Sooners (13-7) travel cluding two 3-pointers, while he’s in the starting lineup or “We were kind of hoping as a the game. there and he got two fouls and to Auburn for the SEC/Big 12 adding four rebounds. not, I don’t think it matters for staff that it just takes a couple “I thought Bijan did some Marvin [Johnson] was doing Challenge at 1 p.m. Saturday. Led by Liz Scott’s career night, Sooners rout Cowgirls in Bedlam showdown Jesse Crittenden, The Norman Transcript “I think [I was] just being aggressive and of that game in the paint, period. Not just for giate career. She gave the team a boost, scoring not thinking too much about, ‘Should I shoot? this game, and not just because of other people’s six points while adding two rebounds, six assists The theme for this season’s first Bedlam Should I pass?” Scott said. “ I was just playing game plans, but because she’s very capable and and four steals. matchup happened within the opening minute. and I think my teammates really helped me I think all season, in the last probably month Oklahoma’s Liz Scott was fouled on a layup with good passes and helped me get good, open or so, we’ve really started to see her take some She also finished with a 40 plus-minus, which just 17 seconds into the game, sending her to looks.” steps. I think tonight was a fun little motivation led her team. the free throw line. She made both attempts, With how the Sooners were being defended, for her.” “She brings such a fun energy,” Baranczyk putting the first two points on the board for ei- Scott’s big night was crucial. The Sooners dominated the game from the said. “She’s so fast and she sets people up and ther team. The Cowgirls made an effort to limit perim- jump, taking a 26-15 lead to the end of the first she just has an energy about her that’s so fun. It was a telling preview for the rest of the eter shots from Taylor Robertson and Williams. quarter and a 42-28 lead into halftime. game. It was effective, as the Sooners made just 5-of- The Cowgirls attempted a run after halftime, “This team, we want everybody back and it’s The junior forward was a constant presence in 16 shots from behind the arc, five fewer makes opening the third quarter on an 8-0 run. But the really special. and we know that we can chal- the paint and at the free throw line, attempting than their season average for 3-pointers in a Sooners responded with a 10-1 run, and they led lenge each other, but we know that we are as a game-high 12 shots from the charity stripe. game. by double digits the rest of the way. strong as we all are. and that to me makes the She made 10, which played a big role in her ca- The Sooners responded by attacking the rim “They came out and they threw the first mark of a great, great team, but what also makes reer-high 22 points. and it worked. They finished with 46 points in punch,” Baranczyk said. “And that’s something Scott led all players in scoring while adding six the paint and made 20-of-33 layup attempts. that we need to do a better job in terms of com- the mark of a great team is to be able to bounce rebounds, two blocks and a steal, as the Sooners For OU coach Jennie Baranczyk, Scott’s per- ing out and being ready. and at the same time, I back after a tough [loss to Kansas State]. and I steamrolled Oklahoma State 84-58 Wednesday. formance is an example of the Sooners’ offen- feel like we did a really nice job of being able to thought we did that. and I think Kelbie is a huge The Houston native credited her career night sive versatility. manage it and handle it and to be able to turn part of that, just her energy.” to teammate Madi Williams, who told Scott she “I think what makes this team special is that it.” was looking to get her involved early on offense. we’re a team, and [on] different nights different Starting point guard Kelbie Washington also Next Williams finished the game with 13 points, sev- people step up,” Baranczyk said. “We’ve talked a made her return after a three-game absence and The Sooners prepare for another home rivalry en rebounds and seven assists. lot about Liz being able to really establish some came off the bench for the first time in her colle- game against Texas at 2 p.m. Saturday. The Graham Jam Thunder Storm Back But Fall to Chicago By 1 By Graham Dudley Billy Donovan was back in plement 26 from Nicola back 3-point attempt with 2.3 possession," Daigneault said. Oklahoma City Monday night, Vucevic and 23 from Zach seconds remaining didn't fall, "Because the game can turn but this time was standing in LaVine. Oklahoma City gave leaving the Thunder down and you want to be ready when front of a different bench. up 35 points in the first quarter three. Mike Muscala sank a 3- it does, and I thought we did The five-year Thunder coach but trailed by only 10 at the pointer as time expired, but it that." was greeted warmly by his for- half. didn't matter as Oklahoma City It wasn't Oklahoma City's mer players but drew a mixed But Chicago's hot second- dropped the ballgame 111-110. only impressive effort of the reaction from the OKC crowd half start saw the Bulls pull In addition to SGA's stellar week. The Thunder returned at the Paycom Center as he ahead by as many as 28 points. performance, OKC benefited home Monday after a four- returned as the leader of the That's when OKC kicked from a 16-point, seven-rebound game road trip that saw them upstart Chicago Bulls, whose into gear. Oklahoma City ended effort from Luguentz Dort and battle the weather in addition 29-17 record is good for a sur- the third quarter on a 22-8 run, nine points, eight rebounds and to the elite competition. prising second in the Eastern putting it within shouting dis- six assists from Josh Giddey. It On Friday, after a 121-98 Conference. Fortunately for tance when the final frame was the same night the young loss to the Charlotte Hornets, Oklahoma City, Chicago was commenced. And in that fourth Aussie accepted his second OKC had to fly to Cleveland short-staffed on Monday, play- quarter, the Thunder outscored consecutive Western for a matchup with the Thunder guard Shai Gilgeous-Alexander (2) and ing without the injured Lonzo Chicago 32-19. Conference Rookie of the Cavaliers the following night. Thunder guard Ty Jerome (16) react after missing a shot Ball and Alex Caruso while They were led, as usual, by Month award in a presentation But the Thunder bus got stuck against the Chicago Bulls in the fourth quarter at DeMar Derozan rested. Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, who before the game. on icy Charlotte roads, forcing Paycom Center. Chicago won 111-110. (Alonzo It was a prime opportunity put up 31 points on Monday OKC's comeback provided Daigneault and some players Adams-USA TODAY Sports) for the struggling Thunder to with 10 assists and three optimism, but still marked the to get out and push to free it get back in the win column. rebounds to boot. SGA sank team's sixth loss in a row and up. Despite the long night, get back on track this Friday, Unfortunately, Oklahoma City two 3s and nailed 11 of his 14 sank its season record to 14-33, Then, at the airport, OKC Oklahoma City played the Cavs Jan. 28, when it takes on the played through three quarters free-throw attempts in the including 1-11 for the month of waited on a plane for hours well. SGA put up 29 points, six Pacers at the Paycom Center. as though it was the outmanned effort. January. while it de-iced, only to eventu- assists and nine rebounds, lead- The Thunder remain at home to team. "That was a really efficient "Regardless of what is going ally switch to a new aircraft ing the Thunder in all three cat- close out the month on Jan. 31 Chicago's Ayo Dosunmu 31 points," Thunder head coach on in the game, scoreboard and before finally making the flight egories. The game came down versus Portland. stepped into the starting lineup Mark Daigneault said after the things you can't control, you’ve to Ohio. The Thunder didn't to the wire, but Cleveland held Until next week, Thunder and put up a huge night for the game. just got to continue to stay in arrive until 8 a.m., scheduled to on for the 94-87 victory. Up! Bulls, with 24 points to com- Unfortunately, Shai's step- the moment and in the next play Cleveland 12 hours later. Oklahoma City will look to