By Michael Kinney
In a span of three days No. 16 Oklahoma and No. 17 Oklahoma State decided to give the nation a show. The two basketball teams faced off twice in a pair of epic Bedlam battles.
Unfortunately for the Sooners, they came out on the short end of the stick in both games.
On Saturday, freshman Cade Cunningham scored 40 points in his first-ever Bedlam game to lead Oklahoma State to a 94-90 victory in Norman.
In the second matchup on Monday, the projected NBA lottery pick was held to 15 points and seven rebounds. However, Oklahoma still fell 79-75 in Stillwater.
The loss was the Sooners’ third straight as they find themselves in an end-of-the-season slump.
Oklahoma had its chances to split the series with the Pokes.
With two minutes left in Monday’s game, the Cowboys went up 74-70. Oklahoma’s De’Vion Harmon came back with a tough layup to close the deficit back down to two.
The Sooner’s Brady Manek came up with a steal and he passed it ahead to Elijah Harkless. However, Kalib Boone blocked his shot and OSU got the ball back.
The Pokes came up empty on their possession and OU had a chance to tie the game. However, Austin Reaves turned the ball over and Boone was fouled. He made 1 of 2 free throws to give OSU a 75-72 advantage with 37.7 on the clock.
Reaves brought the ball up and found Manek in the left corner. He took a wide-open 3-pointer, but it was off the mark.
Cunningham got the rebound and was fouled. He made both attempts and the OSU led 77-72 with 17.5 left in the game.
It looked like the game was over, but Reaves made an improbable old-fashioned 3-point play to cut the lead to 77-75 with 7.6 seconds left.
Cunningham, was fouled and the freshman calmly made both to put the contest away
When the game ended, the Cowboys brought a broom to the floor to signify the regular season sweep and danced around it.
Manek led the Sooners with 20 points, four assists and nine rebounds. However, he was held to four points in the second half.
Reaves posted 19 points while Harmon added 14 points.
Boone had 17 points and nine rebounds, and Bryce Williams scored 14 for the Cowboys (17-6, 10-6 Big 12), who won their fifth straight game overall and earned their third consecutive win over a ranked opponent.
Oklahoma (14-8) will close out its regular season Thursday when they host Texas. It will be their final chance to get back on track before the postseason arrives.
Oklahoma State still has two games remaining on their schedule. They travel to No. 3 Baylor Thursday before the season finale at No. 6 West Virginia Saturday.
Michael Kinney Media
Photos by Oklahoma State Athletics