Wisconsin Handles Oklahoma; Advances to Battle of Atlantis Finals

          After a competitive first half, Wisconsin came out of halftime flaming, and overwhelmed Oklahoma, winning 78-58 . The Badgers outscored the Sooners 47-30 in the second half to improve to 5-0, while Oklahoma dropped to 4-1.

         The Badgers shot the three ball significantly better than the Sooners sinking 64% to their 39%. Wisconsin’s D’mitrik Trice shot an insane 7-8 from three point range, and finished the game with 25 points. Trice also had help from fellow starters Ethan Happ, and Nate Reuvers who contributed 14 and 12 points to Wisconsin’s win efforts. The Badger bench, led by Kobe King who shot 5-8 with 14 points kept Wisconsin dangerous at all times, never allowing the Sooners to rest.

         Oklahoma, led by Christian James, who again finished with 18 points, had a complete second-half meltdown. After keeping the score close trailing by three at the half, the Sooners came out flat, were dominated on both sides of the ball, and outscored 47-30. The Sooners scored more in the second half than they did in the first, but they could not continue their defensive success which they had been leaning on, which is the main reason for their collapse.

           Another problem troubling the Sooner offense and fans throughout this tournament was, and is, Brady Manek. Manek, a starter known for his elite shooting, has shot 3-12 and has only scored 9 total points over the whole tournament, so far. Florida and Wisconsin have done a terrific job of pressuring Manek, rarely letting him get open, and contesting the few shots he has taken. How will Lon fix this problem? Only time will tell.

     Oklahoma will play Dayton or Virginia, Friday, at 10:30 AM for third place. while Wisconsin will advance to the Battle for Atlantis Championship.

PICTURE CREDITS- Dayton Daily News