Oklahoma’s Backcourt Sparks Dominant Win Over Kansas City
No Bedlam hangover here - Oklahoma came out sharp, focused, and firing on all cylinders Tuesday night. The Sooners’ starting backcourt made sure of that, setting the tone early and never letting up in an 89-67 win over Kansas City at the Lloyd Noble Center.
Xzayvier Brown and Nijel Pack were the engines that powered Oklahoma’s fast start, combining for 36 points - 27 of those coming in a first half that felt more like a statement than a tune-up. With the win, the Sooners improve to 8-3 in nonconference play, with two more games left on the calendar before SEC action tips off on January 3.
Let’s break it down.
A 15-0 Run That Set the Tone
Kansas City actually struck first - a Jerome Palm three-pointer on the game’s opening possession - but that was about the last time the Roos had any control. Oklahoma responded with a 15-0 blitz over the next six and a half minutes, and that was essentially the ballgame. Brown and Pack accounted for 10 of those 15 points, and the Sooners never looked back.
By halftime, Oklahoma had built a 27-point lead - their largest of the night to that point - punctuated by Pack’s third three-pointer of the first half. The lead ballooned to as many as 31 early in the second half, and Kansas City never got closer than 17 the rest of the way.
Xzayvier Brown Is Heating Up
Brown led all scorers with 21 points on 8-of-15 shooting, adding three rebounds and an assist in 30 minutes. He’s clearly turning a corner after battling through an ankle injury that limited his effectiveness during a recent three-game stretch.
This marks his second straight 21-point outing, following a strong performance in the Bedlam win over Oklahoma State. The former Saint Joseph’s guard is starting to look like himself again - and that’s great news for the Sooners heading into SEC play.
Nijel Pack’s Steady Hand
Pack added 15 points on 6-of-12 shooting, including 3-of-8 from deep - all three of those makes coming in the first half. He cooled off from beyond the arc after halftime, missing all four of his second-half attempts, but still contributed in other ways. The veteran guard handed out four assists, grabbed a pair of steals, and was one of three Sooners to hit the four-assist mark on the night, joining Tae Davis and Derrion Reid.
Davis and Reid Do a Bit of Everything
Tae Davis filled up the stat sheet in 22 minutes: eight points, seven rebounds, four assists, three steals, and a block. He brought energy on both ends and played with the kind of versatility that coaches love.
Meanwhile, Derrion Reid continued his efficient scoring, dropping 15 points on 5-of-6 shooting. He also added six rebounds, a steal, and matched the team-high with four assists. Reid’s ability to impact the game without needing a high volume of shots makes him a valuable piece in this rotation.
Mo Wague and the Bench Add Muscle
Oklahoma got quality production from its frontcourt, too. Mo Wague chipped in 11 points on 5-of-8 shooting, pulled down seven boards, and blocked two shots. His presence in the paint gave the Sooners an interior edge all night.
Freshman big man Kai Rogers added four points and five rebounds in 15 minutes off the bench, continuing to show flashes of promise. And Jadon Jones provided a nice spark as well, finishing with nine points, two assists, two steals, two rebounds, and a block. He knocked down a pair of threes and gave the Sooners a lift with his activity on both ends.
Team Stats Tell the Story
This was one of Oklahoma’s most complete offensive performances of the season. The Sooners dished out 21 assists - their most since the season opener - and recorded nine steals, marking the fourth time this year they’ve hit that number or better. They shot 50% from the field overall, and while the three-point shooting (8-of-29) wasn’t great, they made up for it with strong finishing around the rim: 16-of-24 on layups and a perfect 4-of-4 on dunks.
The ball movement was crisp, the defense was active, and the energy never dipped - exactly what you want to see in a December nonconference game.
A Minor Setback
The only blemish on the night came early, when sophomore guard Dayton Forsythe exited the game just two minutes in after aggravating an ankle injury. His status moving forward will be worth monitoring, especially with SEC play on the horizon.
What’s Next
With two nonconference games left this month, Oklahoma has a chance to fine-tune things before the intensity ramps up in January. But if Tuesday night’s performance is any indication, this group is starting to click - and they’re doing it at the right time. The backcourt is healthy, the bench is contributing, and the Sooners are playing with confidence.
This wasn’t just a win - it was a reminder of what this team looks like when it’s firing on all cylinders.