More OU coverage, including Berry Tramel’s grades.
AThe last time the Sooners took the court, they were hammered by Oklahoma State 53-27 on the boards. But this time, OU outrebounded Rhode Island 54-41 and outscored the Rams 22-11 in second-chance points. OU had 17 offensive rebounds, including five by Jamuni McNeace and four each by Kristian Doolittle and Brady Manek. Doolittle had 12 rebounds total and McNeace had 10.
Three-point shooting
DTrae Young made three of his nine 3-pointers. His teammates made one of 11, and the one make bounced high off the rim before falling in for Christian James. Hard to win a modern game going four of 20 from beyond the arc, especially when the Rams made 11 of 28. OU, a team that lives by the 3-pointer, was outscored by 21 points on 3-pointers.
Fast breaks
BEarly in the game, the Sooners didn’t get back in transition. The Rams got three easy layups that produced a 13-11 lead. But OU plugged that hole and started running itself. The Sooners eventually outscored URI 20-9 on fast-break points.
Playing without Young
ALon Kruger gave Young a rest early in the first half, then took him out again after Young picked up his second foul. In all, Young sat 6:15 of the half, and OU was outscored just 8-7. The Sooner offense suffered without Young — 3-of-7 shooting, three turnovers — but OU’s defense kept the lid on Rhode Island. The Rams made just four of 13 shots