When talking Oklahoma basketball, there is a lot of excitement about the 2019 class. And there should be with guys like De’Vion Harmon and Jalen Hill leading the way.
But what some might have forgotten was the added benefit of an eligible Austin Reaves. If you forgot about him before, you won’t now.
Reaves came up huge in the second half to pave the Sooners to an impressive 85-67 victory against visiting UTSA on Tuesday evening at Lloyd Noble Center in the first game of the season.
Reaves, a transfer from Wichita State, scored 17 of his 23 points in the second half as the Sooners busted the game open after a 36-36 first half.
“I thought our guys came in in the second half and played with a lot more freedom and aggressiveness,” head coach Lon Kruger said. “We rebounded the ball better to start the second half. Jalen kept a couple alive on the offensive end and converted it into buckets.
“When our wings went down in and rebounded for defensive boards and keyed fast-break opportunities, that was a big key in the ball game. Obviously, a lot of guys stepped up and played their minutes well.”
Reaves was 1-of-7 from the floor in the first half before going 8 of 13 in the second half. Known as a 3-point specialist, it took Reaves getting involved in transition and driving to the bucket to finally get his game going.
“Austin went nuts in the second half. That was crazy,” freshman guard De’Vion Harmon said. “And to witness that, just to see him just to go nuts, as a teammate, you've got to be happy for him. That's why I was celebrating. I was like, 'man, this dude is going nuts.' I think when he threw the alley to Kur, I mean, it's just basketball.”
Reaves wasn’t the only newcomer making a difference. Harmon also scored 23 points, while Brady Manek added 16 points.
Jamal Bieniemy only had two points but did have a career high 11 rebounds.
“Thought he did a great job on the boards and really keyed a lot of transition opportunities and made a lot of good plays for assists on the offensive end,” Kruger said.
OU was outrebounded 24-16 in the first half, but the Sooners returned the favor with a 28-20 advantage in the second half.
Note: Jalen Hill left the game after taking an elbow in the back of the head late in the second half.
“He got elbowed inadvertently to the back of the head,” Kruger said. “Got a little woozy. I'm not sure. He doesn't feel very good right now. I'm not sure what that means going forward.”
