James scores 21, leads Oklahoma past Vanderbilt 86-55
AP
Jan 26, 2019
NORMAN, Okla. (AP) There was no sluggish start or big deficit for Oklahoma Sooners to overcome this time.
Christian James scored 21 points to help the Sooners roll past Vanderbilt Commodores 86-55 in the SEC/Big 12 Challenge.
Oklahoma rallied from a 19-point deficit to beat Oklahoma State 70-61 on Wednesday. Determined to avoid a similar situation against Vanderbilt, the Sooners took control with a 19-0 run over a 5:35 stretch in the first half to take a 33-16 lead, and the rout was on.
''We didn't come out with the start that we wanted to at Oklahoma State,'' James said. ''We just wanted to regroup and play well as a team.''
Brady Manek scored 16 points and Rashard Odomes added 14 for the Sooners (15-5), who won their second straight since falling out of the Top 25 earlier in the week. Oklahoma shot 55 percent from the field and posted its largest victory margin of the season.
Vanderbilt helped the Sooners by making mistakes.
''The first 10-12 minutes, I thought we responded well,'' Vanderbilt coach Bryce Drew said. ''After that, we couldn't guard them one on one and we couldn't hang onto the ball enough to keep it close.''
Saben Lee matched a career high with 24 points for Vanderbilt (9-10), which lost its seventh straight.
The Commodores took No. 1 Tennessee to overtime on Wednesday before losing 88-83. Drew wasn't sure if there was a letdown.
''You prepare all you can to get them motivated, fired up,'' he said. ''At the end of the day, we had some juice at times. Other times, we just did not have the same juice that we had a few days ago.''
The Sooners cooled off a bit after their early surge, but still led 41-23 at the break.
Oklahoma got cranked up again in the second half. A 3-pointer by James put the Sooners up 56-30 with 14:51 to play.
''I thought they came out of the locker room with the right attitude, playing each possession, continuing to score,'' Oklahoma coach Lon Kruger said. ''I think that kept the energy level up. Over time, I thought pretty we were solid defensively as well.''
The Sooners shot 69 percent in the second half to pull away, and now they can take momentum back into Big 12 play.
''It's a confidence booster,'' James said. ''When we play together as a team, it showed defensively and offensively. We moved the ball great. We got stops and got out and ran. We ran in transition. We haven't really done that in a while. I think we did a great job of that today, getting out running lanes and moving the ball.''
BIG PICTURE
Vanderbilt: The Commodores looked spent after their close call against Tennessee. They shot just 37 percent from the field and committed 22 turnovers. No one other than Lee scored in double figures.
Oklahoma: The Sooners were in danger of having their season fall off the rails after falling behind against Oklahoma State. They got through two games that would have been considered bad losses and now can make their push towards an NCAA Tournament bid. They could work their way back into the Top 25 next week.
STAT LINES
Oklahoma's Odomes scored in double figures for the fourth straight game after doing so in just three games all season prior to his current stretch. He is averaging 12.3 points and shooting 73.3 percent (22 for 30) from the field during the run.
BIENIEMY'S IMPACT
Oklahoma point guard Jamal Bieniemy did not score, but he had five rebounds, seven assists and four steals in 29 minutes.
''I thought he moved the ball, controlled the tempo. I thought we had the opportunity in transition, got some steals defensively. He's just playing very well.''
UP NEXT
Vanderbilt hosts No. 8 Kentucky on Tuesday.
Oklahoma hosts Baylor on Monday.
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1st Half
VANDY
Commodores
23
OKLA
Sooners
41
Time
Team
Play
Score
20:00
Jumpball received by Oklahoma
19:43
+2
Brady Manek made layup, assist by Jamal Bieniemy
0-2
19:21
Turnover on Yanni Wetzell
19:12
+2
Rashard Odomes made layup
0-4
18:46
+3
Aaron Nesmith made 3-pt. jump shot, assist by Saben Lee
3-4
18:24
+3
Christian James made 3-pt. jump shot, assist by Jamal Bieniemy
3-7
17:57
Lost ball turnover on Simi Shittu, stolen by Christian James
17:53
Brady Manek missed 3-pt. jump shot
17:51
Defensive rebound by Aaron Nesmith
17:34
Aaron Nesmith missed layup
17:32
Defensive rebound by Oklahoma
17:34
Personal foul on Yanni Wetzell
17:24
Turnover on Jamal Bieniemy
17:07
Lost ball turnover on Saben Lee, stolen by Jamal Bieniemy
17:01
Kristian Doolittle missed layup
16:59
Defensive rebound by Simi Shittu
16:53
+2
Saben Lee made layup
5-7
16:33
+3
Christian James made 3-pt. jump shot, assist by Jamal Bieniemy
5-10
15:59
Turnover on Simi Shittu
15:50
Bad pass turnover on Kristian Doolittle, stolen by Aaron Nesmith
15:18
+2
Clevon Brown made jump shot
7-10
15:12
Christian James missed 3-pt. jump shot
15:10
Defensive rebound by Matt Ryan
15:03
+2
Matt Ryan made floating jump shot, assist by Saben Lee
9-10
14:42
Personal foul on Clevon Brown
14:21
Shot clock violation turnover on Oklahoma
14:00
Clevon Brown missed finger-roll layup
13:58
Defensive rebound by Matt Freeman
13:48
Aaron Calixte missed 3-pt. jump shot, blocked by Saben Lee
13:46
Offensive rebound by Oklahoma
13:30
+2
Aaron Calixte made driving layup
9-12
13:17
+2
Saben Lee made driving layup
11-12
12:57
+2
Christian James made driving layup
11-14
12:23
+3
Matt Ryan made 3-pt. jump shot, assist by Clevon Brown
14-14
12:09
Bad pass turnover on Miles Reynolds, stolen by Yanni Wetzell
11:59
+2
Yanni Wetzell made driving layup
16-14
11:50
+3
Aaron Calixte made 3-pt. jump shot, assist by Christian James
16-17
11:28
Yanni Wetzell missed layup, blocked by Matt Freeman
11:26
Defensive rebound by Aaron Calixte
11:15
Miles Reynolds missed layup, blocked by Clevon Brown
11:13
Defensive rebound by Saben Lee
11:17
Personal foul on Aaron Calixte
11:00
Simi Shittu missed hook shot
10:58
Defensive rebound by Brady Manek
10:41
+2
Rashard Odomes made driving layup
16-19
10:40
Shooting foul on Clevon Brown
10:40
Rashard Odomes missed free throw
10:40
Defensive rebound by Simi Shittu
10:13
Simi Shittu missed 3-pt. jump shot
10:11
Offensive rebound by Maxwell Evans
10:05
Joe Toye missed 3-pt. jump shot
10:03
Offensive rebound by Clevon Brown
9:57
Bad pass turnover on Joe Toye, stolen by Kristian Doolittle
9:48
Brady Manek missed 3-pt. jump shot
9:46
Defensive rebound by Joe Toye
9:39
Matt Ryan missed 3-pt. jump shot
9:37
Defensive rebound by Kristian Doolittle
9:26
+2
Rashard Odomes made finger-roll layup
16-21
9:08
Matt Ryan missed driving layup
9:06
Defensive rebound by Rashard Odomes
9:01
Shooting foul on Clevon Brown
9:01
+1
Brady Manek made 1st of 2 free throws
16-22
9:01
+1
Brady Manek made 2nd of 2 free throws
16-23
8:49
Jumpball received by Vanderbilt
8:44
Aaron Nesmith missed layup
8:42
Offensive rebound by Matthew Moyer
8:41
Matthew Moyer missed tip-in
8:39
Defensive rebound by Oklahoma
8:31
Shooting foul on Aaron Nesmith
8:30
+1
Kristian Doolittle made 1st of 2 free throws
16-24
8:30
+1
Kristian Doolittle made 2nd of 2 free throws
16-25
8:21
Bad pass turnover on Yanni Wetzell, stolen by Jamal Bieniemy
8:13
Rashard Odomes missed layup
8:12
Offensive rebound by Rashard Odomes
8:12
+2
Rashard Odomes made dunk
16-27
7:55
Yanni Wetzell missed hook shot
7:53
Offensive rebound by Matt Ryan
7:37
Lost ball turnover on Aaron Nesmith, stolen by Jamal Bieniemy
7:22
Christian James missed 3-pt. jump shot
7:20
Offensive rebound by Brady Manek
7:18
Brady Manek missed tip-in
7:18
Offensive rebound by Oklahoma
7:09
+3
Brady Manek made 3-pt. jump shot, assist by Jamal Bieniemy
16-30
6:55
Saben Lee missed layup
6:53
Defensive rebound by Rashard Odomes
6:46
+3
Brady Manek made 3-pt. jump shot, assist by Rashard Odomes
16-33
6:19
+2
Matt Ryan made layup, assist by Simi Shittu
18-33
6:19
Shooting foul on Rashard Odomes
6:19
Matt Ryan missed free throw
6:19
Defensive rebound by Jamuni McNeace
6:06
+2
Christian James made driving layup
18-35
5:43
+2
Saben Lee made driving layup
20-35
5:22
+2
Rashard Odomes made floating jump shot
20-37
5:04
Bad pass turnover on Saben Lee, stolen by Rashard Odomes
4:54
Christian James missed 3-pt. jump shot
4:52
Defensive rebound by Matt Ryan
4:43
Matt Ryan missed jump shot
4:41
Defensive rebound by Jamal Bieniemy
4:33
Lost ball turnover on Brady Manek, stolen by Saben Lee
4:05
Shot clock violation turnover on Vanderbilt
3:55
Kristian Doolittle missed layup
3:53
Defensive rebound by Matt Ryan
3:45
Yanni Wetzell missed layup
3:43
Defensive rebound by Kristian Doolittle
3:27
Christian James missed 3-pt. jump shot
3:25
Defensive rebound by Simi Shittu
3:20
Lost ball turnover on Simi Shittu, stolen by Christian James
3:15
Aaron Calixte missed layup
3:13
Offensive rebound by Christian James
3:09
+2
Christian James made tip-in
20-39
3:02
Bad pass turnover on Saben Lee, stolen by Jamuni McNeace
2:58
Jamuni McNeace missed dunk
2:56
Defensive rebound by Simi Shittu
2:53
Out of bounds turnover on Simi Shittu
2:38
Jamuni McNeace missed hook shot
2:36
Offensive rebound by Oklahoma
2:20
+2
Kristian Doolittle made alley-oop shot, assist by Aaron Calixte
20-41
2:07
Offensive foul on Yanni Wetzell
2:07
Turnover on Yanni Wetzell
1:58
Christian James missed 3-pt. jump shot
1:56
Defensive rebound by Yanni Wetzell
1:49
Matthew Moyer missed layup
1:47
Offensive rebound by Matt Ryan
1:43
Turnover on Joe Toye
1:38
Kristian Doolittle missed jump shot
1:36
Defensive rebound by Aaron Nesmith
1:20
Yanni Wetzell missed 3-pt. jump shot
1:18
Defensive rebound by Jamuni McNeace
1:00
Christian James missed jump shot
58.0
Defensive rebound by Aaron Nesmith
52.0
Personal foul on Kristian Doolittle
52.0
Personal foul on Aaron Calixte
52.0
+3
Saben Lee made 3-pt. jump shot, assist by Matt Ryan
23-41
23.0
Matt Freeman missed 3-pt. jump shot
21.0
Offensive rebound by Christian James
12.0
Matt Freeman missed 3-pt. jump shot
10.0
Defensive rebound by Matthew Moyer
1.0
Matthew Moyer missed 3-pt. jump shot
0.0
Defensive rebound by Oklahoma
0.0
End of period
2nd Half
VANDY
Commodores
32
OKLA
Sooners
45
Time
Team
Play
Score
19:48
Brady Manek missed 3-pt. jump shot
19:46
Defensive rebound by Saben Lee
19:33
Shooting foul on Rashard Odomes
19:33
+1
Yanni Wetzell made 1st of 2 free throws
24-41
19:33
+1
Yanni Wetzell made 2nd of 2 free throws
25-41
19:25
+2
Brady Manek made alley-oop shot, assist by Jamal Bieniemy
25-43
19:03
+2
Simi Shittu made hook shot
27-43
18:39
+2
Christian James made turnaround jump shot
27-45
18:18
Matt Ryan missed 3-pt. jump shot
18:16
Defensive rebound by Jamal Bieniemy
18:06
+2
Rashard Odomes made driving layup
27-47
17:43
Yanni Wetzell missed layup
17:41
Defensive rebound by Kristian Doolittle
17:33
+2
Rashard Odomes made layup
27-49
17:17
Simi Shittu missed layup, blocked by Brady Manek
17:15
Defensive rebound by Jamal Bieniemy
17:07
Jamal Bieniemy missed layup, blocked by Matt Ryan
17:05
Defensive rebound by Yanni Wetzell
17:03
Shooting foul on Brady Manek
17:03
+1
Aaron Nesmith made 1st of 2 free throws
28-49
17:03
Aaron Nesmith missed 2nd of 2 free throws
17:03
Defensive rebound by Brady Manek
17:02
Personal foul on Yanni Wetzell
16:50
Offensive foul on Brady Manek
16:50
Turnover on Brady Manek
16:33
Simi Shittu missed layup
16:31
Defensive rebound by Brady Manek
16:22
Brady Manek missed 3-pt. jump shot
16:20
Defensive rebound by Aaron Nesmith
16:09
Matt Ryan missed 3-pt. jump shot
16:07
Defensive rebound by Jamal Bieniemy
15:46
+2
Brady Manek made dunk, assist by Rashard Odomes
28-51
15:28
+2
Aaron Nesmith made driving layup
30-51
15:13
+2
Christian James made jump shot
30-53
15:01
Simi Shittu missed 3-pt. jump shot
14:59
Defensive rebound by Jamal Bieniemy
14:51
+3
Christian James made 3-pt. jump shot, assist by Jamal Bieniemy
30-56
14:31
+2
Saben Lee made floating jump shot
32-56
14:06
Aaron Calixte missed 3-pt. jump shot
14:04
Defensive rebound by Saben Lee
13:57
Saben Lee missed driving layup
13:55
Defensive rebound by Jamuni McNeace
13:28
Jamal Bieniemy missed 3-pt. jump shot
13:26
Defensive rebound by Saben Lee
13:16
+2
Saben Lee made dunk
34-56
12:58
Lost ball turnover on Miles Reynolds, stolen by Joe Toye
12:53
Shooting foul on Jamal Bieniemy
12:53
+1
Saben Lee made 1st of 2 free throws
35-56
12:53
+1
Saben Lee made 2nd of 2 free throws
36-56
12:44
+2
Matt Freeman made jump shot, assist by Jamal Bieniemy
36-58
12:24
Aaron Nesmith missed 3-pt. jump shot
12:22
Offensive rebound by Yanni Wetzell
12:22
Personal foul on Miles Reynolds
12:12
Lost ball turnover on Saben Lee
11:58
Bad pass turnover on Matt Freeman
11:46
+2
Clevon Brown made layup
38-58
11:27
+2
Jamuni McNeace made jump shot
38-60
11:07
+3
Aaron Nesmith made 3-pt. jump shot, assist by Saben Lee
41-60
10:48
+2
Miles Reynolds made floating jump shot
41-62
10:28
Yanni Wetzell missed 3-pt. jump shot
10:26
Defensive rebound by Christian James
10:14
Christian James missed 3-pt. jump shot
10:12
Defensive rebound by Saben Lee
10:03
+2
Saben Lee made driving layup
43-62
9:42
Personal foul on Aaron Nesmith
9:34
+2
Miles Reynolds made jump shot
43-64
9:17
Bad pass turnover on Joe Toye, stolen by Miles Reynolds
9:11
+2
Miles Reynolds made driving layup
43-66
9:11
Personal foul on Miles Reynolds
8:47
Bad pass turnover on Saben Lee, stolen by Christian James
8:38
+3
Aaron Calixte made 3-pt. jump shot, assist by Christian James
43-69
8:16
Matthew Moyer missed 3-pt. jump shot
8:14
Defensive rebound by Christian James
8:02
Aaron Calixte missed 3-pt. jump shot
8:00
Defensive rebound by Saben Lee
7:56
Offensive foul on Saben Lee
7:56
Turnover on Saben Lee
7:36
Bad pass turnover on Christian James, stolen by Joe Toye
7:28
Maxwell Evans missed 3-pt. jump shot
7:26
Offensive rebound by Clevon Brown
7:25
Out of bounds turnover on Clevon Brown
7:07
+2
Hannes Polla made reverse layup, assist by Rashard Odomes
43-71
6:43
+3
Saben Lee made 3-pt. jump shot, assist by Maxwell Evans
46-71
6:25
3-second violation turnover on Hannes Polla
6:07
Joe Toye missed 3-pt. jump shot
6:05
Defensive rebound by Christian James
5:44
+2
Brady Manek made layup
46-73
5:27
Lost ball turnover on Simi Shittu, stolen by Jamal Bieniemy
5:23
Shooting foul on Clevon Brown
5:23
+1
Christian James made 1st of 2 free throws
46-74
5:23
+1
Christian James made 2nd of 2 free throws
46-75
5:09
Matt Ryan missed 3-pt. jump shot
5:07
Offensive rebound by Saben Lee
5:02
+2
Saben Lee made dunk
48-75
4:48
+2
Matt Freeman made jump shot, assist by Miles Reynolds
48-77
4:35
Shooting foul on Hannes Polla
4:35
+1
Saben Lee made 1st of 2 free throws
49-77
4:35
+1
Saben Lee made 2nd of 2 free throws
50-77
4:19
Aaron Calixte missed fade-away jump shot
4:17
Defensive rebound by Aaron Nesmith
4:01
+2
Simi Shittu made finger-roll layup
52-77
4:01
Shooting foul on Hannes Polla
4:01
+1
Simi Shittu made free throw
53-77
3:48
Personal foul on Matt Ryan
3:42
Shooting foul on Matt Ryan
3:42
+1
Miles Reynolds made 1st of 2 free throws
53-78
3:42
Miles Reynolds missed 2nd of 2 free throws
3:42
Defensive rebound by Yanni Wetzell
3:29
+2
Simi Shittu made finger-roll layup
55-78
3:13
Miles Reynolds missed jump shot
3:11
Defensive rebound by Saben Lee
3:06
Offensive foul on Simi Shittu
3:06
Turnover on Simi Shittu
2:54
+2
Miles Reynolds made floating jump shot
55-80
2:26
Yanni Wetzell missed layup, blocked by Hannes Polla
2:24
Defensive rebound by Hannes Polla
2:19
+2
Patrick Geha made floating jump shot
55-82
2:07
Simi Shittu missed 3-pt. jump shot
2:05
Defensive rebound by Hannes Polla
1:48
+2
Hannes Polla made layup
55-84
1:27
Out of bounds turnover on Yanni Wetzell
1:16
Lost ball turnover on Patrick Geha, stolen by Saben Lee
1:10
Joe Toye missed layup, blocked by Hannes Polla
1:08
Offensive rebound by Matthew Moyer
1:08
Shooting foul on Read Streller
1:08
Matthew Moyer missed 1st of 2 free throws
1:08
Matthew Moyer missed 2nd of 2 free throws
1:08
Defensive rebound by Oklahoma
58.0
Lost ball turnover on Read Streller, stolen by Saben Lee
53.0
Saben Lee missed layup
51.0
Defensive rebound by Read Streller
48.0
+2
Hannes Polla made alley-oop shot, assist by Miles Reynolds