Oklahoma battles back, knocks off Cincinnati in OT

Field Level Media|published: Tue 5th March, 23:04 2024

Mar 5, 2024; Norman, Oklahoma, USA; Cincinnati Bearcats forward John Newman III (15) shoots as Oklahoma Sooners forward Jalon Moore (14) defends during the first half at Lloyd Noble Center. credits: Alonzo Adams-USA TODAY Sports

Le'Tre Darthard scored a season-high 18 points, including a critical shot at the end of regulation and key points in overtime to lift Oklahoma to a 74-71 win over Cincinnati on Tuesday in Norman, Okla.

The Sooners (20-10, 8-9 Big 12), who were without leading scorer Javian McCollum, trailed by as many as 13 in the game and 10 with less than 12 minutes remaining but battled back to force overtime and pull off the win.

Oklahoma won for just the second time in six games.

The Bearcats (17-13, 6-11), who have lost four of their last five, have yet to win back-to-back games in their first season in the Big 12.

Darthard hit three free throws in overtime to help the Sooners prevail.

Cincinnati had a chance in the final seconds after Darthard's free throws with 14 seconds left put Oklahoma up three.

But Simas Lukosius missed a 3-pointer and Darthard grabbed the rebound as time expired to seal the win.

Oklahoma scored 28 points at the free-throw line, nine more than the Bearcats. Darthard was 12 of 14 at the line.

Rivaldo Soares (nine rebounds) and Jalon Moore (seven rebounds) each added 16 points in the win.

Jizzle James led the Bearcats with 16 points while John Newman III added 15.

The Sooners took a 67-66 lead, their first of the second half, on Darthard's corner 3-pointer with 17.4 seconds left.

Cincinnati's Aziz Bandaogo grabbed an offensive rebound at the other end and was fouled with just over three seconds left, giving the Bearcats a chance to take the lead.

But Bandaogo missed the first of two free throws, then hit the second to salvage a tie.

Otega Oweh missed the desperation shot at the buzzer, sending the game to overtime.

Cincinnati leading scorer Dan Skillings returned after missing Saturday's win over Kansas State and finished with 13 points and nine rebounds.

While the Bearcats got their leading scorer back, the Sooners' McCollum missed the game with a shoulder injury.

Cincinnati jumped out to a quick start, scoring the game's first seven points and leading 18-5 behind eight quick points by Lukosius in the first seven-plus minutes.

But the Sooners settled in without McCollum, posting a 22-8 run and taking the lead on Soares' 3-pointer with about a minute left in the half.

—Field Level Media