How did OU blow its lead in Bedlam loss to OSU? Sooners 'couldn't get a single stop'

STILLWATER — Jalen Hill did what a leader is expected to do.

OU suffered a 72-56 loss to OSU on Wednesday night at Gallagher-Iba Arena in a game that slipped away throughout the course of the second half. After holding a six-point lead at halftime, the Sooners (11-7, 2-4 Big 12) got outscored by 22 points in the final 20 minutes.

OU’s defense suffered one breakdown after another, allowing OSU to shoot 54.8% from the floor and 60% from deep in the second half.

Hill was asked about the poor showing in the postgame press conference, and the Sooners’ defensive anchor was quick to take the blame.

"We came out and we just couldn't get a single stop,” Hill said. “I mean, that's on me. I’ve got to be a better leader out there… That will never happen again as long as I'm here."

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In reality, OU’s entire team failed to get stops.

Bryce Thompson erupted for 15 points on 3-for-3 shooting from behind the arc in the second half alone. Avery Anderson III also poured in 10 points to go along with five assists.

Woody Newton tallied nine points on 2-for-2 shooting from deep. Kalib Boone added nine points of his own and caused problems on the glass, recording two offensive boards.

That all culminated in a 48-point half for the Cowboys, who entered Wednesday averaging the fewest points per game in the Big 12 (67.9 points). It’s the most points the Sooners have allowed in a half this season.

Here are three takeaways from the loss.

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Grant Sherfield takes the air out of OSU's crowd in the first half

OU trailed 18-15 with 7:59 left in the first half when Grant Sherfield went to the line after getting fouled on a 3-point attempt.

The senior guard shot his first free throw and sank it as the sound of an air horn simultaneously blared. It came from the section behind the basket Sherfield was aiming at, and a brief pause ensued as security guards tried to locate the owner.

Sherfield then attempted his second free throw, and the air horn simultaneously went off once again. He still made that shot too, and this time the public-address announcer stepped in by saying OSU would be given a technical foul if the air horn continued to go off.

That put an end to the situation, not like it mattered to Sherfield.

Air horn or not, Sherfield remained locked in during the first half. He scored a game-high 15 points on 5-for-7 shooting from the floor to help give the Sooners a 30-24 lead at the midway point.

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OSU revives its offense with hustle plays in the second half

OSU held a 59-52 lead with 6:15 left in the game when a 3-point attempt by John-Michael Wright clanked off the front iron.

Jalen Hill got into position down low for the defensive rebound, but a shadow engulfed the senior forward from behind as Newton soared above him and snatched the ball. Newton then took one dribble and finished the putback layup as the crowd at Gallagher-Iba Arena rose to its feet.

After shooting just 31.3% from the floor and 14.3% from deep in the first half, OSU regained control in the second half by making hustle plays.

The Cowboys recorded five offensive rebounds in the final 20 minutes to the Sooners' one. They turned those extra opportunities into seven second-chance points.

OSU also only committed four turnovers, and it converted OU's nine turnovers into 10 points on the other end.

“I saw an Oklahoma State team (whose) confidence just exploded," OU head coach Porter Moser said. "You just saw the confidence come through, and they just went on a great run. They completely dominated the second half.”

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OU falls short of winnable resume builder

OU entered Wednesday as one of the final four teams to make the cut for the NCAA Tournament in the latest projections by ESPN's Joe Lunardi, and a loss to OSU doesn't help that cause.

The Sooners can't be knocked too much for their losses to ranked opponents such as Texas, Iowa State and Kansas.

But a game, albeit in a tough road environment, against unranked OSU is one OU can hardly afford to lose.

Fortunately for the Sooners, every win in Big 12 play is a resume booster. OU's next chance to strengthen its case for a bid will come when it hosts No. 21-ranked Baylor at 3 p.m. Saturday.

This article originally appeared on Oklahoman: OU men's basketball: Sooners collapse in second half at Oklahoma State