Elvis and Fears combine for 46 to power OU passed Providence
BAHAMAS (KFOR) -- Undefeated Oklahoma got its first real test of the season Wednesday down in the Battle 4 Atlantis in the Bahamas. OU took on undefeated Providence in the opening round of the tournament.
Kobe Elvis made a layup to give the Sooners an early 8-0 lead, but the Friars and Sooners would split the first half in leading the game. OU led for nearly the first 10 minutes, when Corey Floyd Jr knocked in a three to give Providence the lead with 10:02 left in the half. The Friars would hold it into the break, leading 34-32 at halftime.
In the second half, Luke Northweather knocked down a pair of three's to give OU back the lead and they wouldn't relinquish it. Jeremiah Fears and Elvis helped build the lead up to nine with 44 seconds left.
It would come down to a wild finish though. After Elvis hit two free throws with four seconds left, the Sooners were not given time to sub-in Jacolb Fredson-Cole. However Fredson-Cole thought he could sub-in and entered the court as Providence inbounded the ball. After the refs deliberated for minutes, they decided it was a foul on OU. The result was two free throws for Providence and possession of the ball. Jayden Pierre made both free throws and got a look at a three-pointer at the buzzer to win it, but his shot missed and the Sooners escaped with a 79-77 win.
OU (5-0) was led by Elvis' 26 points and Fears' 20 points plus 7 assists and 4 steals. Northweather had 8 points and Brycen Goodine had 7 points in his return from injury. The Sooners play No. 24 Arizona in the semifinals of Battle 4 Atlantis on Thursday at 4pm on ESPN.