That win got the Sooners into the Sweet 16 where they took down a team with a lot of momentum on their side.
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The clock skipped past 35 seconds remaining and yet there would be no suspense this time, Oklahoma’s lead at 16 and nobody thinking about what occurred Sunday: That’s when Texas A&M overcame a 12-point deficit the final 35 ticks of regulation to catch Northern Iowa, eventually winning in double overtime. In one stretch they went seven-and-a-half minutes without a field goal and had just two points in that span. A&M could not take capitalize on its perceived advantage inside.
But that is where the A&M highlight film ended for the night. Win that game and he his dad Dick join the Thompsons at Georgetown as the only father-son combination to lead teams to Final Fours, according to STATS.
OR forward Jordan Bell, right, blocks a shot by Duke guard Brandon Ingram as OR forward Dillon Brooks plays defense during the first half of Thursday’s NCAA West Region semifinal at Honda Center.
Jordan Woodard scored 22 points and Hield had 17 points and 10 rebounds to lead the second-seeded Sooners to a 77-63 romp over third-seeded and cold-shooting Texas A&M in the NCAA West Regional on Thursday.
“Nina Davis had a huge game tonight, so she’ll probably be the focal point”, said Oregon State guard Gabriella Hanson, offering an impromptu scouting report of Monday’s championship game in the Dallas Region. Woodard is having the second-best tournament showing on the team behind Hield, averaging 18 points through the first three games while shooting 9-for-16 from 3-point range.
The Aggies have never been to a Final Four (or an Elite Eight) and were last in the Sweet Sixteen in 2007. Hield scored nine straight early in the second half for Oklahoma (29-7), capping the run with a three-pointer that put the Sooners up 59-41.
OR hammered Duke, beating them by 14 points while shooting just over 49 percent for the game. The Aggies were 3 of 17 from the field after Woodard’s tying 3-pointer. The Sooners totaled 23 assists in the game and showcased excellent ball movement throughout the game.
The regional final was a monument to the formidable talent of Hield, the Sooners’ senior star who passed on National Basketball Association riches for another chance to reach the Final Four.
All of those long hours spent on the dusty courts of his youth helped lead Oklahoma back to the Final Four for the first time since 2002 on Saturday. I’m sure Kansas fans haven’t, either. When Hield is feeling it like he did tonight, there isn’t a defense that can stop him. “Happy for them, and we know the next one’s going to be tough, too”.
It accounted for all of five points and barely brought anyone wearing maroon to their feet. “I think they are, too”.
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But what if the Aggies had been more diligent in working the ball inside in the first half? The senior superstar drained eight three-pointers and showcased an arsenal of step-back jumpers in the victory, his scoring fueling the Sooners to the Final Four. Woodard scored 22 points, missing just three of his 11 shots.
