NORMAN, Okla.
— In an exciting matchup on Wednesday night, Zhuric Phelps delivered a standout performance, scoring a career-high 34 points, including a crucial 3-pointer that put No. 10 Texas A&M ahead with just 19 seconds left on the clock. The Aggies staged a remarkable comeback, overcoming an 18-point deficit in the second half to edge out No. 17 Oklahoma with a final score of 80-78.
Texas A&M improved its record to 13-2 and maintained its undefeated streak in the Southeastern Conference at 2-0, all while playing without their leading scorer, Wade Taylor IV, who was sidelined due to an undisclosed injury. Meanwhile, Oklahoma, also at 13-2 but now 0-2 in league play, faced its second consecutive defeat after starting the season with a perfect 13-game run.
On the part of the Sooners, Brycen Goodine, coming off the bench, had an impressive outing, matching Phelps with a personal-best 34 points in just 27 minutes of play. Jeremiah Fears and Jalon Moore contributed 13 and 11 points respectively, but it wasn’t enough to secure a victory. Goodine, who transferred from Fairfield, had previously not managed to exceed 12 points in any game during his first season at Oklahoma; however, he exploded for 21 points in the first half, sinking six 3-pointers and helping the Sooners build a 39-30 lead at halftime.
Oklahoma’s momentum continued when Moore’s 3-pointer stretched their lead to 51-33. This prompted Texas A&M to call a timeout in an effort to halt Oklahoma’s surge, which proved effective as the Aggies quickly responded with eight unanswered points, forcing Oklahoma into a timeout of their own.
The tide began to turn further when Phelps converted a fast-break layup, narrowing Oklahoma’s lead to just 70-69. Solomon Washington’s explosive two-handed slam with five minutes left finally shifted the advantage to the Aggies, who maintained their grip on the game for the remainder.
**Key Takeaways**:
Texas A&M showcased a shooting improvement from 44.3% in the first half to an impressive 53.1% in the second, effectively balancing their offense with a robust defensive performance.
As for Oklahoma, concerns are mounting regarding their performance as the conference play progresses; after a strong start in nonconference matchups, they may be facing déjà vu of a previous season where they faltered once league games began. Losing at home to a team missing its star player adds to these worries under coach Porter Moser’s leadership.
**Defining Moment**:
A potential equalizer slipped away for Oklahoma when Duke Miles missed a shot just two seconds before the final buzzer, leading to a foul on the rebound.
**Significant Stat**:
Texas A&M capitalized on Oklahoma’s mistakes, scoring 30 points off 18 turnovers committed by the Sooners.
**Next Matchups**:
Texas A&M is set to host Alabama on Saturday, while Oklahoma will travel to face Georgia on the same day.
