Xzayvier Brown's 21 points lead Oklahoma past Kansas City

After a big Bedlam victory on Saturday, Oklahoma returned to action on Tuesday night against the KenPom No. 346 team, the Kansas City Roos, one of three buy games before conference play.

The first half went about how you would have hoped: no slow start, assert yourself, and build a big lead by halftime. That is exactly what Oklahoma did, turning in what was probably its best first half in a buy game yet and taking a 54-27 lead into the break.

The issue in these buy games has been the inability to put together a complete game, and that was still a problem here. Oklahoma failed to extend its halftime lead and was actually outscored 40-35 in the second half.

Still, the Sooners walked away with an 89-67 win and improved to 8-3 on the season. Here are a few quick takeaways following the win.

Xzayvier Brown is back

Xzayvier Brown suffered an ankle injury against Alcorn State that he played through during the three-game stretch of Marquette, Wake Forest, and Arizona State, but it clearly hindered him. Against Oklahoma State, he broke out of that and looked fully healthy, posting 21 points and five assists on 6-for-9 shooting from the field.

He continued to perform well in this game, dropping another 21 points to go along with three rebounds and just one turnover on 8-for-15 shooting from the field and 2-for-7 from deep in 30 minutes.

His backcourt mate, Nijel Pack, finished with 15 points, four assists, and three rebounds on 6-for-12 shooting from the field and 3-for-8 from deep. When those two are both on, Oklahoma’s backcourt is really good, and that has been on display the last two games as Brown has returned to full health.

It’s not flashy, but Derrion Reid continues to be solid

On a team with guards like Pack and Brown who can make flashy plays, it is valuable to have a guy who can do the dirty work and make the unflashy plays. That role has fit Derrion Reid well.

There is not much flash to his game, though there have been a few moments, but he has been very impressive. On Tuesday night, Reid posted 15 points, six rebounds, and four assists on an efficient 5-for-6 shooting from the field and 5-for-8 from the free-throw line.

It is not flashy, but it is exactly what this team needs. Reid has been a reliable scoring option, his ability to get to the free-throw line is underrated, and when he wants to be, he is one of the better defenders on this team.

Dayton Forsythe goes down with another ankle injury

Dayton Forsythe rolled his ankle against Arizona State, forcing him to play a season-low 10 minutes. He was questionable for Bedlam but fought through the injury and played.

On Tuesday night, another ankle injury once again limited his minutes. Forsythe was on the court for just two minutes, during which he recorded an assist and made a couple of nice passes, before rolling his previously uninjured ankle, leaving him with issues on both sides.

Oklahoma has two buy games remaining before conference play against Stetson and Mississippi Valley State, the first coming Monday, December 22 at 8:00 p.m. on SEC Network. Those games should give Forsythe time to rest and get both ankles healthy before conference play begins.

The Sooners have two buy games before conference play, Stetson and Mississippi Valley State, the first of which on Monday, December 22nd at 8:00 pm on SEC Network. Those two games give Forsythe time to rest and get both of his now inured ankles healthy before conference play.

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