Rivaldo Soares’ key save helps lead to Oklahoma Sooners win
With about 6:50 left in the game, the Oklahoma Sooners held a three-point lead after an Iowa State Cyclones jumper. The Cyclones kept battling back to keep the game close.
The Sooners needed a play to be made by someone. John Hugley got the ball in the corner and tried to throw it to a cutting Sooner. The ball was tipped up in the air, and out of nowhere Rivaldo Soares caught the ball, turned, and flung it out to Milos Uzan all in one motion, who sunk the three pointer.
Play of the day for the #Sooners yesterday
Rivaldo Soares pulls in a deflected pass and hits Milos Uzan for an open 3 all in one motion
Soares was absolutely everywhere yesterday and Uzan hit a medley of big shots down the stretch
Type of play OU just couldn’t make a year ago pic.twitter.com/qmNA6SLJEJ
— Josh Callaway (@JoshMCallaway) January 7, 2024
It was plays like that that were huge in the Sooners’ win over the Cyclones. But those are also the plays the Sooners have made all season long. It’s why they are so fun to watch because you never know who is going to make the hustle play.
Uzan and Soares broke down that play at the end of the game on Saturday. “Rivaldo is strictly about winning, and he’s making winning plays,” Uzan said. “So, I think that he knows the work that I put in, and he knows that I’m a capable shooter. I think him just playing hard and fighting for rebounds, fighting for extra possessions, and then spraying it out to shooters is just how you win games.”
“Anytime I see Los wide open, I give him the ball,” Soares said. “The kid can shoot it.”
Soares led the Sooners with nine rebounds off the bench finished. He just constantly makes winning plays in a reserve role for this team. They are going to need more of it as they navigate through Big 12 play.
Contact/Follow us @SoonersWire on Twitter, and like our page on Facebook to follow ongoing coverage of Oklahoma news, notes, and opinions. You can also follow Jaron on Twitter @JaronSpor.
