Sooners Overcome Adversity in Hard-Fought Bedlam Victory
Oklahoma City, OK – The message from Oklahoma men’s basketball head coach Porter Moser is a consistent one, so much so that it’s often echoed by his players in public forums. Heading into the highly anticipated Bedlam matchup, the directive was clear: do not let a loss go to waste. In essence, learn from mistakes and implement those lessons. This season, the Sooners have faced challenges, and in their latest outing against Oklahoma State, they not only confronted a problem but fought through it, persevered, and secured what could be argued as their most significant win of the season.
The coveted Bedlam trophy will remain in Norman for another year, as OU emerged victorious over Oklahoma State with a final score of 85-76 at the Paycom Center. This triumph came after a tough outing the previous weekend against Arizona State, where the Sooners were convincingly defeated. Moser’s key takeaway from that loss was the necessity of learning how to respond to an opponent’s scoring runs.
Responding to the Cowboys’ Surge
Oklahoma State demonstrated their ability to make a run midway through the second half, a scenario that tested the Sooners’ resolve. OU held a 41-35 lead at halftime and seemed poised to pull away. However, the Cowboys mounted a comeback, seizing a 53-51 advantage. It was at this critical juncture that the Sooners answered the call, not solely relying on their star players. Instead, significant contributions from the bench proved instrumental in righting the ship and reclaiming momentum.
“We just talked about that in our locker room, how we grew and learned from the last game on how to handle a run,” Coach Moser reflected. “I thought OSU made a great run. They got their crowd into it. They made a great run. Our huddles coming out of there, I thought we responded every time we took a punch. I thought both teams played unbelievably hard. Both teams played well. I thought the way they fought — there should be no regrets on effort, toughness on either side. That was a hard-fought rivalry game.”
As the game entered its crucial final minutes, familiar names rose to the occasion. Nijel Pack was a dominant force throughout the afternoon, finishing with 18 points, including four crucial three-pointers.
Xzayvier Brown’s Breakout Performance
However, this particular Bedlam victory was significantly defined by the performance of Xzayvier Brown. A newcomer to the intense rivalry, having arrived from Philadelphia with no prior knowledge of Bedlam’s significance, Brown delivered a career-defining game. After accumulating only 22 points in the preceding three contests combined, he exploded for 21 points, complemented by five assists, three rebounds, and a remarkably low one turnover in nearly 33 minutes of play.
“It was definitely big,” Brown shared with SoonerScoop. “I would say it was kind of easier just having great teammates, great coaching staff. Everybody was just sticking with me and just giving me words of encouragement, you know, so it was fun.”
This loss marks the first of the season for the Cowboys and provides a substantial boost to the Sooners’ (7-3) season at a pivotal moment.
Bench Depth and Clutch Contributions
A notable aspect of OU’s victory was the significant impact of their bench. The Sooners amassed 22 points from their reserves, a crucial contribution that underscores the team’s depth. Contributions came from various players at opportune moments, preventing any single player from carrying an overwhelming load. While no one player was singularly dominant, the team collectively stepped up when a basket or a defensive stop was needed.
“There was a run in the second half when our second shift was in,” Moser elaborated. “Jeff, Kuol, Jadon, Kai and Dayton were in there. They did give us a spark. If you’re going to be a good team at this level, you need contributions from nine, 10 guys. If it’s five minutes, make it the best five minutes. If it’s 10 minutes…”
Jadon Jones contributed nine points, sinking three three-pointers in just under 28 minutes of action. Dayton Forsythe sealed the victory from the free-throw line, adding to his four points and three rebounds in 16 minutes.
Moser Continues Bedlam Dominance
Coach Moser’s success against Oklahoma State continues to impress. After an initial 1-4 record against the Cowboys, he has since achieved a perfect 4-0 record over the last three seasons. His overall Bedlam record now stands at 5-4, and he was seen embracing the moment with the jubilant OU fans following the hard-earned win.
The Case for Keeping Bedlam at Paycom Center
The atmosphere at the Paycom Center for the Bedlam rivalry has been electric for two consecutive years, and the decision to host the game at this neutral, professional venue warrants continued consideration. The Sooners have emerged victorious in both instances, adding another layer to their preference for this arrangement.
“Awesome. I think it’s awesome,” Moser stated. “Both fan bases were great. Both fan bases were energetic and cheering for their team. I joked with the guy in the front. One was Oklahoma, one was Oklahoma State. I go, lucky you’re not spouses. If you see Bears/Packers next to each other, that’s a thing and sitting right next to each other. Trust me, it means a lot. Both teams had great turnouts, both teams played their tails off. It was a great atmosphere. I think it’s really cool they played here at Paycom.”
The significance of the Paycom Center environment was not lost on players like Forsythe, and even seasoned veterans like Pack, who has experienced the intensity of the Final Four and the Kansas-Kansas State rivalry, could appreciate the unique atmosphere.
“Honestly, it was quite shocking,” Pack admitted. “I kind of thought it would be better to play, you know, home-and-home, but for the crowd to come out like this and fill up an NBA arena, it was awesome. I was really happy to see the Sooner Nation show out and be loud and it was actually a really fun environment to play in. Honestly, you could see down the stretch, the crowd was getting really loud and really into it and this is kind of what you dream of as a kid, to play in environments like this. I’m really glad to be a part of this type of rivalry, man. This was really fun and I’m glad we were able to get the win.”