No. 11 Oklahoma loses lead briefly, charges back to defeat Iowa St.

Field Level Media|published: Sat 6th January, 20:34 2024

Jan 6, 2024; Norman, Oklahoma, USA; Iowa State Cyclones forward Milan Momcilovic (22) drives between Oklahoma Sooners forward Jalon Moore (14) and guard Le'Tre Darthard (0) during the first half at Lloyd Noble Center. credits: Alonzo Adams-USA TODAY Sports

Javian McCollum scored 15 points to lead No. 11 Oklahoma to a 71-63 victory over Iowa State in their Big 12 matchup on Saturday in Norman, Okla.

The Cyclones grabbed a lead for the first time with just less than five minutes remaining, and regained the lead with 4:10 left. Then the Sooners responded in a big way.

Oklahoma (13-1, 1-0 Big 12) scored seven consecutive points, with McCollum serving as facilitator.

McCollum had just two assists before the game's defining run, but had three on consecutive possessions, finding Sam Godwin for a dunk, then Le'Tre Darthard for a 3-pointer near the top of the key, and then Godwin again, this time for a cutting layup, and the Sooners led 64-58 with 2:18 to play.

Milos Uzan added 12 points for the Sooners while Darthard added 11 and Godwin 10 points and six rebounds.

The Sooners played much of the first half without leading scorer Otega Oweh, who picked up two fouls in a 16-second stretch less than eight minutes into the game. Oweh played just more than five minutes before halftime and was held scoreless.

But Oklahoma still led by six, largely thanks to their 3-point shooting and 3-point defense.

The Sooners weren't great from beyond the arc in the first half, making 5 of 16, but it was enough to make a difference.

The Cyclones were just 1 of 8 on treys in the first half and just 3 of 16 for the game.

Early on, the defenses dominated the game as Iowa State started just 2 of 11 from the floor and Oklahoma 2 of 8.

After opening the scoring nearly two minutes into the game, the Sooners held onto the lead until early in the second half.

Oklahoma was up by eight when Oweh left the game with his second foul, but then went more than three minutes without scoring as Iowa State clawed its way back.

The Cyclones scored the final basket of the first half to cut it to six, then started the second by making their first three shots to tie the game.

Milan Momcilovic, Hason Ward and Robert Jones scored 12 points each for Iowa State (11-3, 0-1).

—Field Level Media

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