SantaFeToday.com Santa Fe’s Hometown News
By Arnie Leshin
Its women’s basketball was stealing the head lines in Norman, currently ranked 15th in the country with a dandy red 20-4 record, and on this Oklahoma roster is Jordan Moser, daughter of the men’s head coach.
But Monday night on their Lloyd Noble Center court, the Sooners’ men made their own statement, actually the first one of a not too impressive season that brought them into this game against Big 12 Conference rival Kansas State, No. 12 in the land.
It was the usual large turnout, Jordan was sitting with her team, her brother, Jake, was in the lineup for the men, and bingo, the elder Moser, Porter, was having a grand time, his team took an early lead, settled for 36-36 at halftime, and then took charge, opened a 13-point lead, and every time the Wildcats threatened, the Sooners had answers.
Now 19-7 overall and 9-5 in the conference, KS was at the mercy of a home team at 12-12 overall and 4-11 in the conference, and it would make a pass, lose it to a turnover, miss a shot and a second chance, couldn’t keep Oklahoma off the defensive boards, and had to commit fouls and the Sooners cashed in.
The final result, a stunning 79-65 success for the fired-up Sooners, doing it mainly by outscoring the visitors 43-29 in the second half.
It as a well-balanced attack that pieced together fast breaks, outside shots, and penetration to the basket. Grant Sherfeld, a 6-foot-2 sophomore guard, led in all three categories, 22 points, eight rebounds, six assists.
But he had help. Fiery 6-3 sophomore guard Bijan Costa added 14 points and engineered the offense, and 6-11 freshman Luke Northweather in charge when the Wildcats got into the paint.
Then there were the senior twins, 6-9 Jacob and 6-10 Tanner Grover, both from Shadle Park High School in the state of Washington, and both turning in an ideal game on defense and leadership.
It was a night for the Oklahoma men to shine and they finally enjoyed their finest effort of the roller-coaster-ride campaign.
EXTRA POINTS: Moser is pronounced MO-zer. The Grover twins received a loud reception when the pre-game players were announced. The Sooners have no juniors, but do have three seniors, four sophomores and four freshmen.
No doubt Kansas State didn’t expect this, but after the final buzzer it quickly lined up to high-five, some knuckles, and some hugs. The Wildcats received team highs of 17 points and 10 boards from 6-5 senior Nae’Quan Tomlin.
