NASSAU, Bahamas — In a thrilling showdown at the Battle 4 Atlantis tournament, Oklahoma narrowly defeated Providence with a final score of 79-77, thanks to standout performances from Kobe Elvis and Jeremiah Fears. Elvis led the Sooners with an impressive 26 points, while Fears contributed 20 points, including a remarkable performance at the free-throw line.

Oklahoma, remaining undefeated at 5-0, will face the winner of the matchup between Davidson and No. 24 Arizona, scheduled for Thursday. Conversely, the Friars, now standing at 5-1, will take on the loser of that game. The Sooners showcased their offensive prowess with a shooting percentage of 51%, highlighted by Elvis’s efficient 10-of-14 shooting. Even so, Fears, a freshman standout, also faced challenges, recording eight turnovers but managing to produce seven assists and contributing to the team’s defensive effort with four of the Sooners’ 12 steals.

Providence, despite their loss, had a commendable showing with Wesley Cardet Jr. leading the charge, scoring 17 points. Teammates Jayden Pierre and Bensley Joseph each added 16 points, while Corey Floyd Jr. contributed 13 as the Friars shot 43% from the field. The game took a dramatic turn in the final moments. After Duke Miles scored for Oklahoma to extend their lead to nine with just 44 seconds remaining, a series of missed free throws by the Sooners and a traveling violation on their end allowed Providence to close in.

With 3.7 seconds left, Elvis made two vital free throws, seemingly securing the win for Oklahoma. However, chaos ensued when the Sooners were assessed a technical foul for having too many players on the court, allowing Pierre to convert both technical free throws. Providence then gained possession but was unable to complete a long-range shot as time expired, sealing the Sooners’ victory.

Earlier in the game, Oklahoma took the lead midway through the second half, sparked by consecutive three-pointers from Luke Northweather. Providence had initially held a slim lead of 34-32 at halftime, with Cardet’s 11 points key in maintaining that advantage through the first half after back-to-back three-pointers from Floyd and Cardet shifted momentum in favor of the Friars.

The contest was marked by intense back-and-forth action and highlighted the competitive spirit present early in the season as both teams aim for strong performances in the tournament.