In July, before he even announced his commitment to Oklahoma, Jeremiah Fears told OUInsider that OU was going to get its next Trae Young. On Wednesday night, Fears lived up to that hype and more. The freshman guard poured in a career-high 30 points to lead the Sooners on a thrilling second-half comeback, knocking off Michigan 87-86.
Oklahoma, down by 11 points early in the second half, relied on Fears’ burst and clutch plays in the final moments to pull out the victory. His four-point play with seconds left gave the Sooners the lead for good, cementing his status as a rising star.
Oklahoma’s rally was a team effort. Duke Miles added 17 points, including a huge three-pointer during a 9-0 run that gave the Sooners their first lead of the second half. Jalon Moore scored 16 points before fouling out with just under two minutes remaining.
Here are some notes from the game:
— Oklahoma erased an 11-point deficit in the second half. The Sooners found themselves down by as many as 11 early in the half, but staged a dramatic comeback with Fears leading the way. OU’s defense was clamped down, forcing Michigan into harder shots as the Sooners outscored the Wolverines 49-43 in the second half.
— The fears showed up when it mattered most. The freshman guard finished with a career-high 30 points, including a game-winning four-point play in the final seconds. After a slow start, Fears took over in the second half, proving he was built for big moments.
— Duke Miles played a crucial role in the comeback. Miles finished with 17 points and hit a huge go-ahead three-pointer during a critical 9-0 run that gave Oklahoma its first lead late in the game.
— Jalon Moore contributed before committing a foul. Moore played a key role early, adding 16 points, including two three-pointers, before fouling out with less than two minutes to play. The game was left in the hands of Fears and the other Sooners, who delivered on their promises.
— Glenn Taylor Jr. made an impact on both ends. Taylor’s late-game steal was huge in keeping OU within reach, setting up Fears’ heroics. Taylor also scored 9 points, providing valuable support in Moore’s absence.
— Oklahoma’s offense has struggled at times. Outside of Fears, Miles and Moore, the Sooners struggled to find their rhythm. Taylor and Brycen Goodine each made timely shots in the first half.
— The Sooners were in trouble all night. Sam Godwin had limited minutes in the first half due to foul trouble, while Moore also picked up two quick fouls in the first half. Moore also played with four fouls, before finally fouling out.
— Rebound was a problem again. Michigan controlled the boards, winning the battle 37-32, and OU lost both forced turnovers and turnover battles with points off turnovers 18-14. Despite these challenges, OU’s defense kept them competitive, making this victory all the more remarkable.
— Oklahoma’s victory is a huge step forward. With a big win against Michigan, the Sooners improve to 11-0 on the season, thanks to standout performances from Fears, Miles and Moore.
You are not an OUInsider.com premium member? Sign up today to get lots of inside information on Oklahoma football, softball, basketball and recruiting, all for just a few dollars a month. Click HERE to start !
Follow us on Twitter @OUInsider and on Instagram @ouinsiderofficial!
Subscribe on YouTube by clicking here for daily video content on all things Oklahoma!
