Oklahoma Sooners blow late lead, fall in season opener to Sam Houston State
This is not the start that Porter Moser envisioned for his second year at the University of Oklahoma.
OU turned the ball over 21 times and shot just 37.2% from the field and were outrebounded by six on the offensive glass. Neither team found much success from three-point range; both teams shot just over 26%.
Oklahoma took a seven-point lead into halftime and looked to be running away with the game late in the second half.
With just over five minutes to play, Tanner Groves hit a layup to put the Sooners up by 12. Then Oklahoma went cold, scoring just five points and hitting just two field goals down the stretch.
The Sooners were outscored 18-5 over the final five minutes by Sam Houston in the stunning upset. Turnovers and a poor shooting night ultimately sunk the Sooners in their season opener.
Nevada transfer Grant Sherfield had a solid night for the Sooners. He led the way with 14 points on 5 of 8 shooting. He was 2 of 3 from three and had five rebounds and two assists on the game. Sherfield was a bright spot on an otherwise disappointing night for the Sooners.
Starters Jalen Hill and C.J. Noland combined for one point on 0 for 12 shooting.
The Groves brothers had a bit more success. They had 11 points apiece, and Tanner grabbed nine rebounds on the evening. Jacob was a perfect 4 for 4 from the free throw line and added five rebounds.
OU will have Arkansas-Pine Bluff on Friday night for game two of this young season. The Lions gave the No. 14 TCU Horned Frogs all they could handle but lost 73-72.
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