NORMAN — The play wasn’t flashy, but it said a lot about the growth of Jeremiah Fears.
With about three minutes to play late Wednesday night against rival Texas, with Oklahoma trying to claw its way back from a 23-point second-half deficit at home, Fears dribbled down to the wing and drew three Longhorns defenders. Before Julian Larry could close in on Fears’ weakside, the freshman turned back to his left and kicked the ball out to Jalon Moore at the top of the key.
Moore caught the pass and spotted up from deep, swishing in his third 3-pointer of the night during what was an immaculate second half from the Sooners’ senior forward, who scored 26 of his career-high 29 points on 8-of-8 shooting after halftime. That 3-pointer, off the pass from Fears, cut Oklahoma’s deficit to three with three minutes remaining. An improbable comeback suddenly felt in reach, and while it ultimately fell short in a 77-73 loss at the Lloyd Noble Center—the Sooners’ fourth consecutive loss in SEC play—Fears’ play Wednesday night felt like a breakthrough moment for the OU star freshman…