Sooners pound TCU with defense, passing

Oklahoma dished out 20 assists and forced 16 Horned Frogs turnovers in an 82-46 win

NORMAN — Oklahoma was short-handed again in Tuesday’s matchup with TCU, but that didn’t stop the Sooners from winning by their biggest margin of the season.

Without leading scorer Brady Manek, OU dominated TCU 82-46 in a Big 12 Conference game at Lloyd Noble Center — and the Sooners did it by playing tough defense and by sharing the basketball.

OU dished out 20 assists — one off the season-high of 21, set in the season-opener against UTSA.

Austin Reaves had 14 points and six assists :: Photo: Ty Russell / OU Athletics

“Ever since we played AAU, we always said if we can get 20 team assists then you’re usually winning by a lot,” said De’Vion Harmon. “Twenty team assists is big and we can only get better from there.”

Harmon had the hot hand, knocking down 3-of-6 from 3-point range on route to a 22-point scoring effort. The sophomore was the focal point of a highly efficient offense.

Dealing out six of those assists was Austin Reaves, who has emerged as an elite passer this season by averaging 5.1 assists per game. He also scored 14 points after back-to-back games of 41 and 32 against TCU for the senior. Victor Iwuakor and Umoja Gibson each handed out three assists.

OU opened the second half on a 16-2 run, fueled by a defense that forced 16 turnovers. The Sooners kept their foot on the gas the entire half, forcing TCU into a 35-percent shooting night.

“Any time you can force 16 (turnovers) and only turn over five, that’s like a head start of 11 possessions in a ball game,” coach Lon Kruger said. “The guys are moving the ball better and taking good care of the basketball.”

OU eventually built a 37-point lead.

The first half was full of momentum swings, with both teams going on runs — including an 8-0 run by Jamie Dixon’s Horned Frogs. However, the Sooners’ relentless perimeter defense held TCU to zero made threes in eight attempts and helped establish a 12-point lead heading into halftime.