Jones scores 22, leads No. 21 Texas past Oklahoma 66-52

Tue, Jan 11, 2022
NCAAB News (AP)

AUSTIN, Texas (AP) - Andrew Jones scored a season-best 22 points and made four steals, and No. 21 Texas beat Oklahoma 66-52 on Tuesday night.

Texas (13-3, 3-1 Big 12) led by 20 points six minutes into the second half. Oklahoma (12-4, 2-2) cut the deficit to 11 with 5:38 left, but Timmy Allen scored inside for Texas and Jones made consecutive layups to put the Sooners away.

Christian Bishop had 10 points and eight rebounds for Texas. Allen and Courtney Ramey added 10 points apiece.

Jalen Hill led Oklahoma with 13 points, and Jacob Groves scored 10.

Texas coach Chris Beard cited a lack of aggression after the Longhorns shot just seven free throws during a loss at Oklahoma State on Saturday. The Longhorns hit 18 of 24 from the line against Oklahoma.

A swarming defense produced 11 steals and limited Oklahoma to one 3-point basket in 13 attempts.

Texas held Oklahoma scoreless for six minutes, made an 11-0 push, and took a 33-21 halftime lead.

Jones flourished during the half for Texas with 12 points, including a pair of 3-pointers, and two steals, one that he converted into a breakaway dunk.

Tanner Groves, the Sooners' leading scorer this season with 14.3 points a game, picked up two fouls in the first half and played only six minutes. Groves finished with three points in 17 minutes.

BIG PICTURE

Oklahoma: The Sooners endured a difficult early schedule in Big 12 play. They lost at No. 1 Baylor and defeated No. 15 Iowa State before facing Texas. Oklahoma shot 55.8% at Baylor and 61.7% against Iowa State but slipped to 40.4% against Texas. Umoja Gibson, who led Oklahoma with an average of 16.4 points the previous five games, scored seven against Texas.

Texas: Tre Mitchell returned after missing the Oklahoma State loss while in COVID-19 protocols, but played only two minutes. Mitchell has started 12 games this season and averages 9.9 points.

UP NEXT

Oklahoma: At TCU on Saturday.

Texas: At No. 15 Iowa State on Saturday.

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