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Oklahoma Basketball: Sooners handle UTSA to start 2019-20 season

By Trenton Corn

COLUMBIA, SOUTH CAROLINA - MARCH 22: Kristian Doolittle #21 of the Oklahoma Sooners shoots against Devontae Shuler #2 of the Mississippi Rebels in the second half during the first round of the 2019 NCAA Men's Basketball Tournament at Colonial Life Arena on March 22, 2019 in Columbia, South Carolina. (Photo by Kevin C. Cox/Getty Images)
COLUMBIA, SOUTH CAROLINA - MARCH 22: Kristian Doolittle #21 of the Oklahoma Sooners shoots against Devontae Shuler #2 of the Mississippi Rebels in the second half during the first round of the 2019 NCAA Men's Basketball Tournament at Colonial Life Arena on March 22, 2019 in Columbia, South Carolina. (Photo by Kevin C. Cox/Getty Images) /
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Oklahoma Basketball made their season debut Tuesday against the UTSA Roadrunners. The result was a successful one.

Coming into the season, Oklahoma Basketball was only returning just three starters from last season, ushering in a new era, and crop of talent with youngsters De’Vion Harmon, Alondes Williams, Jalen Hill, Anyang Garang, Victor Iwuakor, Rick Issanza, and Corbin Meritt. But for the season opener, the returning starters turned to only two, as Senior forward Kristian Doolittle was suspended for the opener for having played in an “Unsanctioned summer league game”.

With now only two returning starters, the Sooners showed their youth early in this game, as UTSA and OU were all tied up at 36 at the half.

Then Austin Reaves happened. Reaves, a transfer from Wichita State, who had to sit out all of last season, was finally able to make his presence felt as he made 8 of 13 shots in the second half as he scored 17 second-half points, en route to an impressive 23 point, 6 rebounds, 3 assist performance.

https://twitter.com/OU_MBBall/status/1191933187292835840

The Sooners went on as high as a 25-5 run in the second half, as the finished with an 85-67 W.

Freshman point guard De’Vion Harmon was impressive in his debut as he scored 23 points as well.

https://twitter.com/OU_MBBall/status/1191901794005217280

Big man Brady Manek filled the stat sheet, as he had 16 points, 5 rebounds, 1 assist, 1 steal, and 3 blocks.

Jamal Bieniemy did most of the dirty work, as he had only 2 points, but had a career-high 11 rebounds along with 5 assists.

The Roadrunners are one of the favorites to finish 1st in Conference USA, and could very well be a team that could get a bid to do dancing come March.

Next. Biggest takeaway from Champions Classic. dark

This Oklahoma team showed us just how exciting they could be in the second half yesterday, and should be even more lethal when Kristian Doolittle comes back into the starting rotation. This Oklahoma team will struggle at times and show their youth, but with the play of Reaves, Harmon, Doolittle, Manek, and Bieniemy and this fast pace of play, they will go on big runs and can score with anyone in the nation when they get in a rhythm as they did on opening night.

Oklahoma plays on the road Saturday against Minnesota.

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