Coming off three straight losses in conference play, the Oklahoma basketball Sooners desperately needed a win today while hosting the No. 18 Red Raiders.
Texas Tech had slipped from its previous #8 ranking during the 66-59 victory last time the squads met, but they still lead the Big 12 in scoring defense as well as scoring margin on the season.
The vaunted Tech defense showed up early, allowing only eight points in the first 10 minutes of the game. Matt Mooney led the pressure with 3 early steals, while the offense finished the first half shooting 7-of-15 from three. Sooners were held to 28% shooting from the field in the first half, resulting in a 35-24 deficit at the break.
The home team picked up some serious momentum in the second half, thanks to Brady Manek and Christian James. By running in transition they were able to get in front of the defense and cut the lead to nine with 12:30 remaining in the contest, which got the crowd back onto its feet. Just six minutes later, the Tech lead was 60-41 and they never looked back. Final score from the Lloyd Noble Center: 66-54 Texas Tech.
An unsung hero for the Red Raiders today was guard Matt Mooney. The graduate transfer has been an important piece of Tech’s success this season, averaging 10.6 points, 3.4 rebounds, and three assists in 23 games.
Today he was the source of constant pressure placed on the Sooner offense by logging four steals.
He made life difficult for every ball handler in his path thanks to deceptively quick feet and relentless effort.
At 6-foot-3 and 200 pounds, combined with a 6-foot-7 wingspan, he’s strong enough to hold his own all over the floor. Final line for Mooney was 11 points, three assists, four steals, and one block.
Brady Manek was one of the lone bright spots for the Sooners today, scoring eleven points and grabbing eleven rebounds to go along with one block and one steal. While he didn’t shoot the three well today, he attacked the rim on offense and used his length well on the boards.
The Sooners have now lost four in a row, and they need to find some answers quickly. Up next is a trip to Waco where they’ll take on (15-7) Baylor Bears.