No. 12 Oklahoma bounces back from first loss of the season, beats Central Arkansas 88-72

Share

NORMAN, Okla. (AP) — Javian McCollum scored 23 points and Otega Oweh added 16 as No. 12 Oklahoma bounced back from its first loss of the season with an 88-72 win over Central Arkansas on Thursday night.

Sam Godwin scored 14 points and Jalon Moore had 12 points and nine rebounds for the Sooners (11-1), who were back in action for the first time since losing 81-69 to then-No. 11 North Carolina on Dec. 20.

Oklahoma played its worst game of the season against the Tar Heels after climbing to No. 7 in The Associated Press Top 25 poll, shooting a season-low 40.4% and committing a season-high 18 turnovers.


Oklahoma forward Jalon Moore (14) shoots over Central Arkansas forward Tucker Anderson (12) during the first half of an NCAA college basketball game Thursday, Dec. 28, 2023, in Norman, Okla. (AP Photo/Kyle Phillips)
Oklahoma forward Jalon Moore (14) shoots over Central Arkansas forward Tucker Anderson (12) during the first half of an NCAA college basketball game Thursday, Dec. 28, 2023, in Norman, Okla. (AP Photo/Kyle Phillips)

The Sooners missed five of their first seven shots against Central Arkansas (3-11) and trailed 12-8 after five minutes. But OU found its shooting touch after that and led 50-42 at halftime on the strength of 18 points by McCollum.

Oklahoma went on a 15-2 run to extend the lead to 71-55 with 11 minutes left. The Bears rallied by scoring the next 11 points and closing within 71-66.

The Sooners tightened their defense and closed out the game on a 16-6 run. Oklahoma shot 52% from the field and made 10 of 22 3-pointers (45%).

Johannes Kirsipuu scored 16 points to lead four players in double figures for Central Arkansas, which shot 47% from the field.

Before the game, OU held a moment of silence for former two-sport star Ryan Minor. Players wore shooting shirts with Minor’s name and No. 12 on the back during warmups.

The 49-year-old Minor died of cancer on Dec. 22. He pitched and played first base and helped the Sooners win a national title in baseball in 1994 and was named Big Eight Player of the Year in 1995 on the basketball court.

UP NEXT


Oklahoma guard Milos Uzan (12) shoots the over Central Arkansas forward Ubongabasi Etim (0) during the first half of an NCAA college basketball game Thursday, Dec. 28, 2023, in Norman, Okla. (AP Photo/Kyle Phillips)
Oklahoma guard Milos Uzan (12) shoots the over Central Arkansas forward Ubongabasi Etim (0) during the first half of an NCAA college basketball game Thursday, Dec. 28, 2023, in Norman, Okla. (AP Photo/Kyle Phillips)

Central Arkansas: Plays Missouri on Saturday in Columbia.

Oklahoma: Hosts Monmouth on Sunday.

___

Get poll alerts and updates on AP Top 25 basketball throughout the season. Sign up here. AP college basketball: https://apnews.com/hub/ap-top-25-college-basketball-poll and https://apnews.com/hub/college-basketball