OU basketball puts clamps on OSU, dominates Bedlam in career night for Sam Godwin

OKLAHOMA CITY – This is what OU head coach Porter Moser envisioned when he put together this team in the spring and summer.

A suffocating defense combined with much better outside shooting. Add in some grit and toughness and off we go in year No. 4 for Moser.

We haven’t always checked every box of that equation. But in Bedlam? OU did just that. As good of a performance as the Sooners have had this season. OU took control early and never looked back in an 80-65 victory against Oklahoma State on Saturday night at the Paycom Center.

The Sooners are now 10-0 for the second consecutive season. Saturday also marked Moser’s third straight victory against OSU to improve to 4-4 overall.

A fantastic environment, split right half court ala OU-Texas football. And a fantastic performance by OU to stay undefeated. OU led 43-26 at halftime and held a comfortable advantage the rest of the way.

Game No. 10 OU Takeaways

*Sam Godwin wanted Bedlam. He wanted one last crack. Did he ever make it count. After fouling out last season on the bench with a technical foul, he never forgot it.

Godwin asserted his will early and never let up. When it was all said and done, a career-high 20 points for the Oklahoma native. Oh, and he also added 14 rebounds.

“That was pretty exciting,” Godwin said. “After my first year at OU, they beat us three times, so that kind of stuck with me. Tonight was to get even. I wish I could play them one more time so I could be up on my Bedlam record. It was a great accomplishment with this big game that we have coming up on Wednesday against Michigan.”

And Moser said Sam Godwin gets to keep the Bedlam trophy. It’s staying with Godwin once again.

*Bounce back game for Kobe Elvis. One thing Moser appreciates about his guards is their mental toughness. Elvis had zero points last Saturday. After making his first 3-pointer Saturday, you could see him relax.

Then it continued and continued. Elvis tied his career high by making five from 3-point territory.

“Man, when he gets it going like that, hit a big one in the corner – I didn’t realize he had five until you said it,” Moser said. “Making shots. Those are huge shots. Between Duke, Kobe and Fears, those three, offensively, can all put it on the deck and can all knock down a shot. When Kobe is shooting like that, it really makes us difficult.”

*All-around – that’s what Jeremiah Fears continues to do. He’s not forcing the action, but he’s getting the job done. Fears had 17 points, five assists and three rebounds.

*Not a monster game from Jalon Moore. Didn’t need it, but he still is simply letting the game come to him. Not forcing the action when he’s not touching the ball. And giving the fans a show whenever he gets to dunk.

After a slow start, Moore had 11 points, five rebounds and two blocks.

*Then? It was about defense. OU held OSU to 26 percent shooting from the field in the first half and less than 40 percent for the game. The Sooners also forced 11 turnovers in the first half. The type of stifling defense that Moser wants to be the backbone of this group.

Up next

Time for the Jordan Brand Classic. One more neutral court setting for the Sooners. No. 13 OU (10-0) is set to take on No. 14 Michigan on Wednesday night in Charlotte. The Wolverines have also been one of the pleasant surprises of the early season.