NORMAN, Okla. (AP) Back from suspension and back in the swing of things, Kristian Doolittle delivered for No. 23 Oklahoma Sooners on Saturday.
Doolittle hit a runner with less than three seconds left to lift the Sooners over No. 25 TCU Horned Frogs 76-74, the latest sign that the junior is back to the form that made him a budding standout as a freshman.
Doolittle averaged 9.1 points per game over 25 starts his first year, but a suspension to start last season slowed his progress.
He's finally catching up. Doolittle led the Sooners (13-3, 2-2 Big 12) with 24 points and 10 rebounds, his first double-double since the final regular-season game of his freshman season.
After not scoring in double figures from the beginning of last season until Dec. 18, Doolittle has scored 12 or more points in five of the last six.
''I knew I had to be more aggressive, regardless of where I started off at,'' Doolittle said. ''I've just been doing what the team needed me to do.''
With Doolittle's big game - he also had a critical defensive rebound in the final minute that led to free throws - the Horned Frogs (12-3, 1-2) struggled to defend the inside for the second consecutive game. Earlier in the week, it was Kansas' Dedric Lawson that hurt TCU.
''I'd like to be more physical yet we've got all our guys in foul trouble at the same time,'' TCU coach Jamie Dixon said. ''It's kind of a challenge we've got. We've got to look at some things better. Our defense was really good for us early in the year but it's let us down the last two games.''
BIG PICTURE
Oklahoma: After playing road games at Kansas at Texas Tech, a pair of top 10 teams, in the first three games of Big 12 play, the Sooners needed to take advantage of a home game. They have six consecutive games against unranked opponents.
TCU: The Horned Frogs have dropped two consecutive games since having a nine-game winning streak end Wednesday at Kansas. While TCU has to be encouraged by Noi's play, it missed starting guard Jaylen Fisher, who was out for the third consecutive game with a knee injury.
HIGHLIGHT REEL
Oklahoma's Brady Manek reached up and blocked Alex Robinson's shot with his left hand with just under six minutes to play. Manek's blocked wound up in the hands of Miles Reynolds, who streaked up court, fired a bounce pass from halfcourt to Doolittle at the free-throw line. Doolittle's layup bounced out, but he grabbed the offensive rebound and finished to tie the game.
TURNING POINT
With 51 seconds to play, Oklahoma's Aaron Calixte stole the ball from RJ Nembhard and fed it ahead to Christian James, who finished and was fouled. His free throw put the Sooners ahead by one.
STAT OF THE NIGHT
TCU dominated the glass early, outrebounding the Sooners 30-14 in the first half, including 13 offensive rebounds. But Oklahoma turned things around in the second half, with a 22-12 rebounding edge after halftime. The Horned Frogs turned their 17 offensive rebounds into just eight second-chance points.
POLL IMPLICATIONS: Both teams were hanging by a thread in the rankings coming into the game and Oklahoma's win likely keeps the Sooners ranked after a seven-point loss at No. 8 Texas Tech earlier in the week. TCU figures to fall out of the poll for the second time this season.
UP NEXT
TCU hosts West Virginia on Tuesday. The Mountaineers have dropped their first four Big 12 games.
Oklahoma stays at home for a Wednesday meeting with Kansas State, which knocked off No. 20 Iowa State on Saturday. The home team has won the last seven meetings in the series.
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1st Half
TCU
Horned Frogs
43
OKLA
Sooners
37
Time
Team
Play
Score
20:00
Jumpball received by TCU
19:39
Desmond Bane missed jump shot
19:37
Offensive rebound by Kevin Samuel
19:29
Kevin Samuel missed layup, blocked by Brady Manek
19:27
Defensive rebound by Jamuni McNeace
19:08
Jamuni McNeace missed layup
19:06
Defensive rebound by Alex Robinson
18:57
+3
Alex Robinson made 3-pt. jump shot, assist by Desmond Bane
3-0
18:44
+3
Aaron Calixte made 3-pt. jump shot, assist by Christian James
3-3
18:17
Desmond Bane missed layup
18:15
Offensive rebound by TCU
18:08
JD Miller missed jump shot
18:06
Offensive rebound by Kevin Samuel
17:58
Kevin Samuel missed layup
17:56
Defensive rebound by Brady Manek
17:53
Kristian Doolittle missed jump shot
17:51
Defensive rebound by Alex Robinson
17:40
Lost ball turnover on Kevin Samuel, stolen by Christian James
17:26
+2
Jamuni McNeace made layup, assist by Aaron Calixte
3-5
16:56
+2
Desmond Bane made layup, assist by Alex Robinson
5-5
16:39
Jamuni McNeace missed jump shot
16:37
Defensive rebound by Alex Robinson
16:26
+2
Kevin Samuel made layup, assist by Alex Robinson
7-5
16:10
+2
Christian James made jump shot
7-7
16:10
Shooting foul on RJ Nembhard
16:10
+1
Christian James made free throw
7-8
15:57
Kouat Noi missed 3-pt. jump shot
15:55
Defensive rebound by Kristian Doolittle
15:48
+3
Brady Manek made 3-pt. jump shot, assist by Christian James
7-11
15:19
Kevin Samuel missed layup, blocked by Brady Manek
15:17
Offensive rebound by Kevin Samuel
15:09
+2
Kevin Samuel made layup
9-11
15:05
+2
Kristian Doolittle made layup, assist by Aaron Calixte
9-13
14:48
Kouat Noi missed 3-pt. jump shot
14:46
Offensive rebound by Kevin Samuel
14:36
Shot clock violation turnover on Alex Robinson
14:19
Christian James missed 3-pt. jump shot
14:17
Offensive rebound by Brady Manek
14:12
+2
Brady Manek made dunk
9-15
14:00
+3
Kouat Noi made 3-pt. jump shot, assist by Kendric Davis
12-15
13:42
Matt Freeman missed 3-pt. jump shot
13:40
Defensive rebound by Alex Robinson
13:32
+2
Kevin Samuel made layup, assist by Alex Robinson
14-15
13:19
Shooting foul on Desmond Bane
13:19
Rashard Odomes missed 1st of 2 free throws
13:19
+1
Rashard Odomes made 2nd of 2 free throws
14-16
12:59
+3
Alex Robinson made 3-pt. jump shot, assist by Kendric Davis
17-16
12:34
Christian James missed jump shot
12:32
Defensive rebound by Alex Robinson
12:23
Bad pass turnover on Alex Robinson, stolen by Kristian Doolittle
12:15
+2
Kristian Doolittle made jump shot, assist by Jamal Bieniemy
17-18
12:01
JD Miller missed layup, blocked by Christian James
11:59
Offensive rebound by Desmond Bane
11:54
Shooting foul on Jamal Bieniemy
11:55
+1
JD Miller made 1st of 2 free throws
18-18
11:55
JD Miller missed 2nd of 2 free throws
11:55
Defensive rebound by Kristian Doolittle
11:25
Kristian Doolittle missed jump shot, blocked by Kevin Samuel
11:23
Defensive rebound by JD Miller
11:14
+2
Alex Robinson made layup
20-18
10:56
Jamuni McNeace missed layup
10:54
Defensive rebound by Alex Robinson
10:47
RJ Nembhard missed 3-pt. jump shot
10:45
Offensive rebound by JD Miller
10:44
Personal foul on Miles Reynolds
10:39
Desmond Bane missed layup
10:37
Offensive rebound by Kevin Samuel
10:37
Kevin Samuel missed layup
10:35
Defensive rebound by Kristian Doolittle
10:28
Personal foul on Kevin Samuel
10:28
+2
Jamal Bieniemy made layup
20-20
10:11
Kendric Davis missed layup
10:09
Offensive rebound by TCU
9:55
+3
Kouat Noi made 3-pt. jump shot, assist by Lat Mayen
23-20
9:44
Jamal Bieniemy missed layup
9:42
Defensive rebound by Lat Mayen
9:31
Kouat Noi missed 3-pt. jump shot
9:29
Offensive rebound by Desmond Bane
9:23
Desmond Bane missed layup
9:21
Defensive rebound by Brady Manek
9:17
+2
Christian James made layup, assist by Miles Reynolds
23-22
9:06
Alex Robinson missed 3-pt. jump shot
9:04
Defensive rebound by Kristian Doolittle
8:52
+2
Jamal Bieniemy made jump shot
23-24
8:25
Offensive foul on Lat Mayen
8:25
Turnover on Lat Mayen
8:03
+3
Brady Manek made 3-pt. jump shot, assist by Aaron Calixte
23-27
7:48
RJ Nembhard missed jump shot
7:46
Defensive rebound by Kristian Doolittle
7:43
Personal foul on Kevin Samuel
7:24
Aaron Calixte missed jump shot
7:22
Defensive rebound by Desmond Bane
7:16
+3
Kouat Noi made 3-pt. jump shot, assist by Desmond Bane
26-27
7:02
Brady Manek missed 3-pt. jump shot
7:00
Defensive rebound by JD Miller
6:52
+3
Kouat Noi made 3-pt. jump shot, assist by Desmond Bane
29-27
6:37
Brady Manek missed jump shot
6:35
Defensive rebound by RJ Nembhard
6:27
+3
Kouat Noi made 3-pt. jump shot, assist by Desmond Bane
32-27
6:05
Lost ball turnover on Christian James, stolen by Desmond Bane
6:02
+2
Desmond Bane made layup
34-27
5:44
Christian James missed jump shot
5:42
Defensive rebound by Kouat Noi
5:24
+2
Alex Robinson made layup
36-27
5:05
+3
Aaron Calixte made 3-pt. jump shot, assist by Jamuni McNeace
36-30
4:54
Kouat Noi missed 3-pt. jump shot
4:52
Offensive rebound by JD Miller
4:41
JD Miller missed layup
4:39
Offensive rebound by JD Miller
4:38
JD Miller missed tip-in
4:36
Defensive rebound by Jamuni McNeace
4:17
+3
Aaron Calixte made 3-pt. jump shot
36-33
3:56
Alex Robinson missed layup
3:54
Offensive rebound by JD Miller
3:49
JD Miller missed layup, blocked by Jamuni McNeace
3:47
Defensive rebound by Christian James
3:45
Christian James missed 3-pt. jump shot
3:43
Defensive rebound by Desmond Bane
3:33
Alex Robinson missed 3-pt. jump shot
3:31
Defensive rebound by Christian James
2:58
Aaron Calixte missed 3-pt. jump shot, blocked by Desmond Bane
2:56
Defensive rebound by Desmond Bane
2:46
Kevin Samuel missed layup
2:44
Defensive rebound by Christian James
2:24
Bad pass turnover on Aaron Calixte, stolen by Kouat Noi
2:23
Double dribble turnover on Kouat Noi
2:16
Jamuni McNeace missed layup
2:14
Defensive rebound by Alex Robinson
2:04
+2
JD Miller made dunk
38-33
1:52
Jamal Bieniemy missed jump shot
1:50
Defensive rebound by Alex Robinson
1:38
+2
Alex Robinson made layup
40-33
1:23
+2
Jamuni McNeace made hook shot
40-35
58.0
Shooting foul on Jamuni McNeace
58.0
JD Miller missed 1st of 2 free throws
58.0
+1
JD Miller made 2nd of 2 free throws
41-35
58.0
+1
JD Miller made 2nd of 2 free throws
41-35
48.0
Brady Manek missed 3-pt. jump shot
46.0
Defensive rebound by Kendric Davis
39.0
Bad pass turnover on Kendric Davis, stolen by Christian James
36.0
Shooting foul on Desmond Bane
36.0
+1
Aaron Calixte made 1st of 2 free throws
41-36
36.0
+1
Aaron Calixte made 2nd of 2 free throws
41-37
8.0
+2
Kouat Noi made layup
43-37
1.0
Aaron Calixte missed 3-pt. jump shot
0.0
Defensive rebound by TCU
2nd Half
TCU
Horned Frogs
31
OKLA
Sooners
39
Time
Team
Play
Score
19:51
+2
Brady Manek made layup
43-39
19:27
Lost ball turnover on Desmond Bane, stolen by Christian James
19:21
Personal foul on JD Miller
19:21
Flagrant foul on Christian James
19:21
Flagrant foul on Christian James
19:21
+1
JD Miller made 1st of 2 free throws
44-39
19:21
JD Miller missed 2nd of 2 free throws
19:20
Offensive rebound by TCU
19:09
Bad pass turnover on Alex Robinson, stolen by Kristian Doolittle
19:02
Christian James missed layup
19:00
Offensive rebound by Christian James
18:56
+2
Christian James made layup
44-41
18:47
Lost ball turnover on Alex Robinson, stolen by Christian James
18:42
+2
Kristian Doolittle made layup, assist by Christian James
44-43
18:09
Kevin Samuel missed layup, blocked by Jamuni McNeace
18:07
Defensive rebound by Christian James
17:55
Lost ball turnover on Aaron Calixte, stolen by Kouat Noi
17:43
Desmond Bane missed 3-pt. jump shot
17:41
Defensive rebound by Christian James
17:33
Traveling violation turnover on Christian James
17:04
Alex Robinson missed jump shot
17:02
Offensive rebound by Desmond Bane
16:36
RJ Nembhard missed 3-pt. jump shot
16:34
Defensive rebound by Jamuni McNeace
16:19
Brady Manek missed jump shot
16:17
Offensive rebound by Jamuni McNeace
16:10
Shooting foul on Kouat Noi
16:10
Aaron Calixte missed 1st of 2 free throws
16:10
+1
Aaron Calixte made 2nd of 2 free throws
44-44
15:56
Traveling violation turnover on Alex Robinson
15:49
Lost ball turnover on Christian James, stolen by Alex Robinson
15:46
Shooting foul on Aaron Calixte
15:46
+1
Alex Robinson made 1st of 2 free throws
45-44
15:46
Alex Robinson missed 2nd of 2 free throws
15:46
Defensive rebound by Brady Manek
15:32
+2
Jamuni McNeace made layup
45-46
15:19
+2
Kouat Noi made layup
47-46
15:08
Jumpball received by TCU
15:08
Lost ball turnover on Aaron Calixte, stolen by Alex Robinson
14:50
RJ Nembhard missed jump shot, blocked by Jamal Bieniemy
14:37
Defensive rebound by Kristian Doolittle
14:37
Personal foul on Kouat Noi
14:26
Brady Manek missed 3-pt. jump shot
14:24
Defensive rebound by Kevin Samuel
13:57
Kendric Davis missed jump shot
13:55
Defensive rebound by Brady Manek
13:43
+2
Kristian Doolittle made jump shot, assist by Jamal Bieniemy
47-48
13:22
Alex Robinson missed 3-pt. jump shot
13:20
Defensive rebound by Kristian Doolittle
13:08
Shooting foul on Kevin Samuel
13:08
Kristian Doolittle missed 1st of 2 free throws
13:08
Kristian Doolittle missed 2nd of 2 free throws
13:08
Defensive rebound by JD Miller
13:03
Bad pass turnover on Kendric Davis
12:52
Shooting foul on JD Miller
12:52
Kristian Doolittle missed 1st of 2 free throws
12:52
+1
Kristian Doolittle made 2nd of 2 free throws
47-49
12:37
Desmond Bane missed 3-pt. jump shot
12:35
Defensive rebound by Jamal Bieniemy
12:14
Bad pass turnover on Jamal Bieniemy
11:56
Shooting foul on Jamal Bieniemy
11:56
+1
Kouat Noi made 1st of 2 free throws
48-49
11:56
+1
Kouat Noi made 2nd of 2 free throws
49-49
11:36
+2
Kristian Doolittle made jump shot
49-51
11:15
+3
Kouat Noi made 3-pt. jump shot, assist by Kendric Davis
52-51
10:50
Christian James missed 3-pt. jump shot
10:48
Defensive rebound by Kendric Davis
10:40
Shooting foul on Rashard Odomes
10:40
+1
Kendric Davis made 1st of 2 free throws
53-51
10:40
+1
Kendric Davis made 2nd of 2 free throws
54-51
10:28
Miles Reynolds missed jump shot
10:26
Defensive rebound by JD Miller
10:16
JD Miller missed layup, blocked by Miles Reynolds
10:14
Offensive rebound by TCU
10:08
Desmond Bane missed jump shot
10:06
Defensive rebound by Jamuni McNeace
9:51
Shooting foul on Desmond Bane
9:51
Miles Reynolds missed 1st of 2 free throws
9:51
+1
Miles Reynolds made 2nd of 2 free throws
54-52
9:46
Kendric Davis missed layup
9:44
Defensive rebound by Jamuni McNeace
9:37
+2
Kristian Doolittle made dunk
54-54
9:04
Alex Robinson missed 3-pt. jump shot
9:02
Defensive rebound by Miles Reynolds
9:00
Shooting foul on Kendric Davis
9:00
Miles Reynolds missed 1st of 2 free throws
9:00
+1
Miles Reynolds made 2nd of 2 free throws
54-55
8:32
+2
RJ Nembhard made jump shot
56-55
8:04
Traveling violation turnover on Christian James
7:32
+2
JD Miller made jump shot, assist by Alex Robinson
58-55
7:20
Jamuni McNeace missed hook shot
7:18
Defensive rebound by JD Miller
7:05
Desmond Bane missed jump shot
7:03
Defensive rebound by Aaron Calixte
6:44
Christian James missed layup
6:42
Defensive rebound by Desmond Bane
6:26
RJ Nembhard missed layup
6:24
Offensive rebound by JD Miller
6:24
Shooting foul on Miles Reynolds
6:24
+1
JD Miller made 1st of 2 free throws
59-55
6:24
+1
JD Miller made 2nd of 2 free throws
60-55
6:10
Jumpball received by Oklahoma
6:04
+2
Kristian Doolittle made jump shot, assist by Christian James
60-57
6:04
Shooting foul on Kevin Samuel
6:04
+1
Kristian Doolittle made free throw
60-58
5:48
Alex Robinson missed layup, blocked by Brady Manek
5:46
Defensive rebound by Miles Reynolds
5:38
Kristian Doolittle missed layup
5:36
Offensive rebound by Kristian Doolittle
5:31
+2
Kristian Doolittle made tip-in
60-60
5:15
JD Miller missed layup, blocked by Brady Manek
5:13
Offensive rebound by JD Miller
5:11
JD Miller missed tip-in
5:08
Defensive rebound by Kristian Doolittle
4:50
Brady Manek missed dunk
4:48
Defensive rebound by Alex Robinson
4:42
Desmond Bane missed 3-pt. jump shot
4:40
Defensive rebound by Miles Reynolds
4:24
Shooting foul on RJ Nembhard
4:24
Christian James missed 1st of 2 free throws
4:24
+1
Christian James made 2nd of 2 free throws
60-61
4:12
Personal foul on Miles Reynolds
4:08
Bad pass turnover on Desmond Bane, stolen by Miles Reynolds
4:02
+2
Brady Manek made dunk, assist by Miles Reynolds
60-63
4:02
Unsportsmanlike technical foul on Christian James
4:02
+1
Desmond Bane made 1st of 2 free throws
61-63
3:56
+1
Desmond Bane made 2nd of 2 free throws
62-63
3:47
+3
Desmond Bane made 3-pt. jump shot, assist by JD Miller
65-63
3:22
+2
Christian James made layup, assist by Miles Reynolds
65-65
3:08
JD Miller missed layup
3:06
Defensive rebound by Christian James
3:06
Personal foul on JD Miller
3:06
+1
Christian James made 1st of 2 free throws
65-66
3:06
+1
Christian James made 2nd of 2 free throws
65-67
2:54
+3
Kouat Noi made 3-pt. jump shot, assist by Desmond Bane
68-67
2:39
Personal foul on Kouat Noi
2:39
+1
Kristian Doolittle made 1st of 2 free throws
68-68
2:39
+1
Kristian Doolittle made 2nd of 2 free throws
68-69
2:26
+3
Kouat Noi made 3-pt. jump shot, assist by Desmond Bane
71-69
2:08
Lost ball turnover on Kristian Doolittle
1:49
RJ Nembhard missed 3-pt. jump shot
1:47
Defensive rebound by Oklahoma
1:22
Christian James missed 3-pt. jump shot
1:20
Defensive rebound by JD Miller
51.0
Lost ball turnover on RJ Nembhard, stolen by Aaron Calixte
45.0
+2
Christian James made layup, assist by Aaron Calixte