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The Oklahoma No.24 knocked out their third straight top 10 team on Saturday, overcoming the loss of two starters to rebound Alabama 66-61. The Sooners announced shortly before the game that they would be without a star player Austin reaves and key starter Alondes Williams due to the COVID-19 protocol.
The game was part of the SEC / Big 12 challenge and was played on the Oklahoma Field in Norman. The Sooners were led by guard De’Vion Harmon, who scored 18 points with four rebounds and four assists.
Oklahoma guard after the game Elijah Harkless cast a shadow over Alabama and the SEC as a whole.
“I think at first they were surprised at the way we play defense,” Harkless said, via Joe Buettner of Norman transcription. “They haven’t played a lot of Big 12 teams. The SEC, they’re kinda down right now. “
Harkless finished the game with 14 points and five rebounds.
Oklahoma wasted no time in showing Alabama they came up ready to play. Oklahoma took an 11-2 advantage, and while Alabama responded, the Sooners were the aggressor throughout. Oklahoma had another run midway through the second period, taking a 55-43 lead with less than 10 minutes to go. But Alex Reese splashed in two 3 points, Keon Ellis made a layup and Jaden Schackelford made a 3-point of his own to reduce Oklahoma’s lead to 55-54. And Alabama led when Ellis made two free throws with 3:44 left.
The Crimson Tide only scored one point the rest of the way, with Oklahoma regaining the lead and coming back 63-60 with four straight free throws from Jalen Hill. And with the Sooners leading 63-61, Elijah Harkless hit a tough fadeaway jumper to help seal the game for Oklahoma and stop Alabama’s 10-game winning streak. Oklahoma’s own winning streak is now five games away, thanks in large part to De’Vion Harmon’s performance with a high of 18 points.
After the game, head coach Lon Kruger met with the media to discuss the victory.
“Yeah, it’s obviously a tough game from start to finish,” Kruger said. “There was never a lot of leeway. We had a little bit of it in the second half, and it was gone pretty quickly because Alabama obviously is. [I’m] proud of our guys, happy for the guys. They keep working, keep making progress and understand that we have to keep doing it.
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