Rapid reaction: OU cruises past Baylor for 90-76 win in Norman

AP photo by Sue Ogrocki

By Anthony Slater – Aslater@opubco.com - @anthonyVslater

OU took care of business Saturday, jumping out to an early lead and cruising to a 90-76 win over Baylor. Here’s some rapid reaction:

Turning point

OU ended the first half on a dominant 18-1 run, turning a nice early lead into a 26-point blowout at the break. It was a offensive clinic from Lon Kruger’s Sooners, with perfect execution, matched by overall ineptitude from Scott Drew’s Bears, missing shots, committing silly fouls and showing visible frustration. A microcosm of the coaching matchup.

It was over when…

…Baylor’s frantic second half runs, which included a 13-2 push and a 9-4 spurt, were too little, too late. The Bears dug themselves too deep an early hole. And not even their superior talent or streaky point guard could shoot them out of it. The Sooners, like they’ve done all year, showed great poise and an ability to make clutch shots to close out big wins at home.

Star of the game – Sam Grooms

In the first 22 games of the season, OU’s seldom-used point guard had a combined 54 points, rarely playing and hardly contributing. His season-high before Bedlam last Saturday was seven. But in the past three games, with his role expanding after Buddy Hield’s injury, Grooms has nearly matched that 22-game scoring output, putting up 53 in the past three. He scored 18 in Bedlam, 12 against Texas Tech and a career-high 23 on Saturday against Baylor, including a 15/17 showing from the free throw line. Impressive work from the senior.