Marquette falls aside in second half of irritating loss to Oklahoma in Chicago – Milwaukee Journal Sentinel

CHICAGO – The Marquette men’s basketball team has pockets of stretches the place it seems prefer it has figured issues out.
However then comes a number of clunky possessions in a row that torpedo the Golden Eagles’ probabilities.
MU was stable for lots of its sport towards Oklahoma at Credit score Union 1 Enviornment on Friday, Nov. 28, then issues fell aside within the second half of a irritating 75-74 loss.
The Golden Eagles (4-4) face the prospect of ending the non-conference slate with a dropping document, with games against Valparaiso at home and then Wisconsin and Purdue on the road.
The Golden Eagles had a scorching begin towards Oklahoma, with three straight defensive stops and an 8-0 run on the offensive finish.
Freshman level guard Nigel James Jr. led the best way early within the first half, scoring seven of MU’s first 12 factors.
MU began the sport 4 for six on 3-pointers, and completed the primary half 7 for 16 from deep.
Royce Parham made his first three makes an attempt from lengthy vary. He began the season 4 for 21 from behind the arc.
Parham and James had 9 factors apiece for the Golden Eagles as they took a 37-33 lead into the break.
Chase Ross took his flip on the controls to start out the second half, scoring seven of MU’s first 11 factors of the second half because the Golden Eagles took a 48-37 lead with 15:14 remaining.
MU’s offense went right into a funk, nevertheless, going nearly 5 minutes with out a subject objective because the Sooners rallied to tie the sport at 54-54.
Jeff Nwankwo then gave the Sooners the lead with a 3-pointer with 7:25 remaining.
James acquired scorching once more for the Golden Eagles, hitting two robust layups and sinking a free throw to seize the lead again at 60-59 with 5:34 on the clock.
However Oklahoma’s Nigel Pack answered instantly with a three-point play. The Sooners’ Derrion Reid then acquired free for a wide-open lay-in, and Pack hit a deep 3-pointer for a 67-62 benefit.
Tae Davis had a layup of his personal to make it 4 straight transformed subject targets for Oklahoma and MU head coach Shaka Sensible needed to name a timeout with 3:37 left.
Jadon Jones appeared to hit the dagger 3-pointer for the Sooners for a 72-64 lead, however MU hit again when Ross hit a 3 and James added a layup.
The Golden Eagles acquired a cease and Ross knocked down one other 3 to tie the sport with slightly below a minute on the clock.
Earlier than Ross’ two 3s, the Golden Eagles have been 0 for 9 from lengthy vary within the second half.
After Oklahoma known as a timeout, Pack discovered Reid for a 3-pointer.
MU’s James was fouled and hit each free throws, then the Golden Eagles’ protection compelled a turnover with 17.9 seconds on clock.
The Golden Eagles handed the ball round and it ended up in Ross’ fingers, however he missed an off-balance shot on the buzzer.
Ross completed with 21 factors to guide MU. James added 20.
Guards: Nigel James Jr., Chase Ross, Zaide Lowery
Forwards: Ben Gold, Caedin Hamilton
The Sooners have a pair acquainted names on their roster. Kai Rogers was highly regarded recruit at Wauwatosa West Excessive Faculty before finishing at Overtime Elite. The 6-10 freshman ahead missed Oklahoma’s first sport with a knee damage, however has performed sparingly since then.
Oklahoma additionally has 6-0 freshman guard Jake Hansen, who was Rodgers’ teammate at Tosa West. Hansen helped lead the Trojans to their first state championship as a senior.
MU’s remaining non-conference schedule features a winnable dwelling sport towards Valparaiso, after which robust highway matchups at Wisconsin and Purdue. So the Golden Eagles wish to get this one towards Oklahoma. It will not be straightforward. Porter Moser’s offense entails a whole lot of slicing and spacing, and the Golden Eagles’ have had frequent defensive breakdowns this season. The Sooners have not turned the ball over a lot of their first six video games, and have an older level guard in Nijel Pack. The Golden Eagles won’t have the ability to muster sufficient offense to beat these deficiencies.
Predicted rating: Oklahoma 84, MU 71
Odds courtesy of BetMGM as of Nov. 27

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