Rice scores 24 to lead Texas past Oklahoma in overtime
When Texas is engaged in a close game, it can call on experience, energy and poise. The No. 6 Longhorns needed all of that against Oklahoma on Saturday.
Senior reserve Sir’Jabari Rice scored 19 of his game-high 24 points in the second half and overtime, and Texas held off the Sooners 85-83.
The Longhorns (21-6, 10-4 Big 12) have not lost two straight games all season. They are 7-0 under interim coach Rodney Terry in games decided by five points or fewer or in overtime, including a 70-69 victory at Oklahoma on Dec. 31.
“I see in Texas the veteran, tough mentality,” Oklahoma coach Porter Moser said.
Rice’s fourth threepointer of the game gave Texas an 84-77 lead with 2:26 left in overtime.
Oklahoma had a chance to tie or win when Texas’ Tyrese Hunter missed one of two free throws with 6.8 seconds left. But Sam Godwin missed a shot from near the rim, and Texas extended its winning streak against Oklahoma to five games.
Marcus Carr added 17 points for Texas and Timmy Allen had 15 points, nine rebounds and four assists. Both are seniors, as is Dylan Disu, who scored 12.
Though the Longhorns made several clutch shots, Terry cited other factors that were critical.
“We forced 18 turnovers, and we had 19 assists,” Terry said, calling it “the difference in the game.”
Grant Sherfield led Oklahoma (13-14, 3-11) with 18 points, including a three-pointer that sent the game to overtime. Milos Uzan scored 15 for the Sooners. The Sooners’ top big man, Tanner Groves, fouled out with 2:30 left in regulation.
The Longhorns led by five with 1:30 remaining in regulation, but the Sooners secured two offensive rebounds and Sherfield’s tough 3 came with 7 seconds left.
Carr missed a jump shot — a chance to win — at the buzzer in regulation.
No. 5 Kansas 87, No. 9 Baylor 71: DaJuan Harris scored all 14 of his points in the second half as the host Jayhawks stormed back from a double-digit halftime deficit and beat the Bears.
No. 7 Virginia 57,
Notre Dame 55: Kihei Clark scored 15 points, including a pair of critical free throws with 22.6 seconds left, and became Virginia’s career assist leader in the host Cavaliers’ narrow victory over the Fighting Irish.
Kentucky 66, No. 10 Tennessee 54: Cason Wallace and Oscar Tshiebwe each scored 16 points and the host Wildcats rushed to a big lead and beat the Volunteers. The Volunteers (20-7, 9-5
AAASEC) trailed by 20 points at halftime and lost in their first game since toppling No. 1 Alabama.
No. 12 Kansas St. 61, No. 19 Iowa St. 55: Markquis Nowell hit a threepointer from near midcourt with 2:42 remaining to help the host Wildcats beat the Cyclones. Nowell finished with 20 points. Keyontae Johnson had 15 points for the Wildcats (20-7, 8-6 Big 12).
ANo. 14 Indiana 71, Illinois 68: Trayce JacksonDavis finished with 26 points and 12 rebounds, Jalen Hood Schifino made two free throws with 30.7 seconds left, and the host Hoosiers rallied from a nine-point second-half deficit to beat the Illini.
No. 16 Xavier 82, DePaul 68: Jack Nunge had 18 points and 10 rebounds as the host Musketeers bounced back from a pair of narrow losses to beat the Demon Deacons.
No. 20 UConn 64, Seton Hall 55: Jordan Hawkins scored 20 points and the host Huskies used a big second-half run to beat the Pirates.
No. 22 TCU 100, Oklahoma St. 75: Mike Miles Jr. had 15 points in his first game in three weeks, five other TCU players also scored in double figures, and the host Horned Frogs snapped a four-game losing streak by beating the Cowboys.
AAAANo. 24 Providence 85, Villanova 72: Ed Croswell scored 21 points and grabbed 10 rebounds and the host Friars earned their 20th victory of the season, holding on to beat the Wildcats.
AWOMEN’S TOP 25
No. 8 Maryland 66, Michigan St. 61: Michigan State women’s basketball players wiped away tears as they stood shoulder to shoulder during a moment of silence before losing to the Terrapins, less than a week after three students were killed in a shooting on campus. Diamond Miller scored 29 points and helped the Terrapins (22-5, 13-3 Big Ten) hold on for the win after leading by 16 points in the second half. The Spartans (13-13, 5-10) rallied to have a chance at pulling off an upset, coming up short after DeeDee Hagerman missed a three-pointer with 3 seconds left.
No. 6 UConn 60, No. 14 Villanova 51: Lou Lopez Sénéchal scored 22 points, including a crucial rainbow jumper late in the fourth quarter, to lead the Huskies over the host Wildcats.
No. 7 Iowa 80, Nebraska 60: Caitlin Clark scored 30 points, Monika Czinano added 20 and the Hawkeyes pulled away in the second half for a win over the host Cornhuskers.
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