In a thrilling showdown that saw Oklahoma’s perfect season on the line, Jeremiah Fears delivered an unforgettable play to keep the Sooners’ winning streak alive. Trailing in the dying moments against Michigan, the 18-year-old sensation drained a clutch 3-pointer from the wing while drawing a foul, a combo that sent him sprawling to the floor. With just 11.5 seconds left, his steady hand at the free-throw line completed the four-point play, securing an electrifying 87-86 victory over the Wolverines at the Jumpman Invitational in Charlotte, North Carolina.
The nail-biting win bolsters Oklahoma’s impeccable record to a pristine 11-0, marking their most potent season start since 2015-16. When asked about his heroic performance on ESPN, Fears reflected, “It was just great. The play was originally meant for one of my teammates, but when they got covered, coach gave me the nod and said, ‘Make a play.’ All those countless hours and sleepless nights of work paid off today.”
For a moment, Michigan seemed poised to douse the Sooners’ fire, cruising with an 11-point cushion in the game’s final stretch. But Oklahoma stormed back, amassing an assertive 15-4 run and locking down Michigan in the crucial final 70 seconds to set up Fears’ heart-stopping finale.
Vladislav Goldin was a force for Michigan, posting 26 points and grabbing 10 rebounds, while Danny Wolf supported with 15 points and 10 rebounds. Nonetheless, their efforts were marred by a cold spell beyond the arc, with the Wolverines going just 4 of 28. The sting of this close defeat is doubled by their recent narrow miss against Arkansas.
For the Sooners, Fears notched a career-high 30 points, efficiently shooting 8 of 12 from the field and lighting up the net with 3 of 4 threes. Duke Miles chipped in with 17 points, and Jalon Moore contributed 16 points and four boards. These three stood tall as the top scorers, powering Oklahoma’s high-octane performance.
Looking ahead, the Sooners prepare to host Central Arkansas and Prairie View, wrapping up their non-conference schedule before embarking on their first SEC campaign against No. 6 Alabama on January 4. It’s poised to be a monumental clash, but with the momentum of an undefeated start, Oklahoma looks more than ready to contend with the esteemed Crimson Tide at the conference forefront. Fans, brace yourselves for an exciting ride as the Sooners continue their pursuit of greatness.
