By Brian Davis
Austin American-Statesman
(TNS)
NORMAN, Okla. — Oklahoma guard Buddy Hield scored nine points down the closing stretch and then saved his best for last.
Hield, the Big 12’s most dynamic play-maker, drained a 3-pointer with 1.4 seconds remaining to make the difference for No. 3 Oklahoma in a 63-60 win over No. 24 Texas.
The Longhorns had a chance at the go-ahead basket, but Isaiah Taylor was called for an offensive foul with 17 seconds left. In a game where a ton of pushing and shoving was not called, it was an odd time for that whistle.
Hield scored, giving him a game-high 27 points, and Texas coach Shaka Smart quickly called timeout. But Connor Lammert’s inbound pass was picked off by Hield, and the Sooners escaped Lloyd Noble Center with a win.
“There’s a reason why he’s the best player in the country and makes plays,” Smart said. “I thought our guys, for most of the game, did a really good job on him, given how good of a player he is. But down the stretch, he really was aggressive and got to the foul line and obviously hit that big shot.”
The Sooners (20-3) improved to 8-3 in the Big 12 race while the Longhorns (16-8) fell to 7-4.
“I just want to take my hat off to my teammates,” Taylor said. “Everybody keep their head up and we’re going to keep fighting.”