Kobe Elvis recorded 24 points, six assists and three steals to lead host Oklahoma to an 85-64 victory over Stetson on Saturday afternoon in Norman, Okla.
Jalon Moore also had 21 points and five rebounds as the Sooners (3-0) remained unbeaten thanks to two big surges in each half, which helped stave off the resilient Hatters (1-3), who dropped their third in a row.
After falling behind early in the game, Oklahoma used a 23-2 run in the first half to open up an 18-point lead.
But Stetson, which was led by Abramo Canka’s 22 points on 8 for 12 shooting, would not go away easily.
The Hatters cut the deficit to 51-43 with 14:01 left with an 8-0 run sparked by sharp shooting by Canka and Jordan Wood, who finished with 11 points and two assists.
Duke Miles (six points, four assists) snapped the run with a corner triple.
Elvis and Moore then sparked another big run as the Sooners scored 16 unanswered points to put themselves ahead 70-46 with 7:39 left in the second half.
While Stetson’s 3-point shooting (9 for 24) kept it in the game, turnovers were the major detractor.
And Oklahoma took advantage, turning 23 Hatters giveaways into 31 points.
Elvis and Sam Godwin each had three steals to lead the effort for Oklahoma on the defensive end. Godwin also had a game-high 10 rebounds and the Sooners collected 15 offensive rebounds. Jeremiah Fears also had 11 points, three rebounds and three assists for the Sooners.
Oklahoma also shot 9 for 24 from 3-point range and totaled 21 assists while only turning the ball over 11 times.
Stetson’s Josh Massey suffered a bloody nose after he collided with the back of the head of teammate Alex Doyle with 2:50 left in the first half and played only 13 minutes.
–Field Level Media
