Hope and optimism reigned supreme in the Frank Erwin Center as the Texas Longhorns men’s basketball team was 11-2 and dreaming of a selection Sunday where the Longhorn logo would appear once again. The problem is Texas had to begin Big 12 play against their hated rivals, the Oklahoma Sooners.
Like the Longhorns, the Sooners were 11-2 and had thoughts of making a statement at the Frank Erwin Center. They did just that, defeating the Longhorns 88-85 on Saturday night.
Stat of the night:
10-16
Those were the 3 point shots made (10) and attempted (16) in the first half by Oklahoma. That’s 63% from 3 point range. Oklahoma was able to keep themselves in the game by shooting lights-out in the first half. The Longhorns dominated in the paint but when a team shoots that well from the three point line, it’s a game-changer.
Turning point of the game
2:53 left in the game and Javan Felix was at the line shooting two free throws up 76-75. Â Felix averages 80% from the line but he ended up missing both free throws. Cameron Ridley was able to get the last rebound but was fouled and subsequently missed both of his free throws. In this short span there were four potential points left off the board. After that, the Sooners outscored the Longhorns 13-9 to take control and win the game.
Player of the game
Javan Felix
Even though he missed those 2 aforementioned free throws, Felix had his best game scoring 28 points off the bench. Jonathan Holmes and Demarcus Croaker had 15 points each.
It’s not the end of the world that the Longhorns lost their conference opener but it means Texas will need to play hard to make up already-lost ground in the Big 12. Texas travels to Stillwater on Wednesday to face off against the Oklahoma State Cowboys, hoping to right the ship.
