Verhulst three at the buzzer forces OT, but Sooners fall to No. 13 Duke
LAS VEGAS, Nevada (KFOR) -- In a matchup of top-15 ranked teams, it was No. 13 Duke who emerged in overtime with a 109-99 win over No. 8 Oklahoma.
The Sooners raced out to an early nine-point lead in the first quarter, but Duke fought back and led by as many as 15 points in the second quarter. It was a 46-35 Duke lead at halftime in Las Vegas.
OU cut into the lead, getting it down to two at one point, but just before halftime Ashlon Jackson hit a three-quarter court shot at the buzzer to put Duke up 65-58 after three quarters.
This game would come down to the wire thanks to a late surge by the Sooners, and with just a couple seconds left Payton Verhulst caught the inbounds pass and buried a three at the buzzer to tie it at 94 and force overtime. A remarkable shot by Verhulst, and a remarkable effort by OU to be able to force OT.
However in overtime, Duke took control of things. OU took a 95-94 lead on a Raegan Beers free throw early in OT, but Duke outscored OU 15-4 after that to win 109-99. Reigan Richardson led all scorers with 35 points, while Jackson added in 18. Duke had three others in double-figures.
The Sooners were led by Verhulst, who posted a triple-double, with 29 points, 10 rebounds, and 10 assists. Beers had 26 points, while Skylar Vann added 13 and Sahara Williams had 12 in OU's first loss of the season.
The Sooners (6-1) are back in action Wednesday December 4, taking on another ranked ACC team, playing at No. 24 Louisville in the SEC/ACC Challenge.