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NCAA Tournament: Day 4 Recap, Review and Analysis

By Nathan Giese

Mar 22, 2015; Omaha, NE, USA; Wichita State Shockers forward Shaquille Morris (24) and guard Fred VanVleet (23) react as they head into a timeout against the Kansas Jayhawks during the second half in the third round of the 2015 NCAA Tournament at CenturyLink Center. Mandatory Credit: Steven Branscombe-USA TODAY Sports
Mar 22, 2015; Omaha, NE, USA; Wichita State Shockers forward Shaquille Morris (24) and guard Fred VanVleet (23) react as they head into a timeout against the Kansas Jayhawks during the second half in the third round of the 2015 NCAA Tournament at CenturyLink Center. Mandatory Credit: Steven Branscombe-USA TODAY Sports /
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Mar 22, 2015; Columbus, OH, USA; Oklahoma Sooners guard Buddy Hield (24) jumps in the air in celebration with his teammates after the game against the Dayton Flyers in the third round of the 2015 NCAA Tournament at Nationwide Arena. Oklahoma won 72-66. Mandatory Credit: Greg Bartram-USA TODAY Sports
Mar 22, 2015; Columbus, OH, USA; Oklahoma Sooners guard Buddy Hield (24) jumps in the air in celebration with his teammates after the game against the Dayton Flyers in the third round of the 2015 NCAA Tournament at Nationwide Arena. Oklahoma won 72-66. Mandatory Credit: Greg Bartram-USA TODAY Sports /

The Sooners The Better

#3 Oklahoma Sooners keeps Big-12’s hopes alive with 72-66 win over #11 Dayton Flyers

Down as much as nine midway through the second half, Oklahoma outscored Dayton 32-17 the rest of the way, clamping down on defense and not allowing Jordan Siebert to get going and holding him to just one shot attempt in the second half.

Oklahoma had three players score in double figures, led by Jordan Woodard’s 16 points and four steals. Big-12 Player of the Year Buddy Hield contributed 15 points, but continued to struggle connecting on shots, going just 4-for-13 overall from the field. Hield also had five assists for the Sooners.

Scoochie Smith led the Flyers with 16 points to go with his five rebounds and four assists.

With Iowa State, Baylor, Texas and Oklahoma State exiting the NCAA Tournament in the first day and Kansas falling to Wichita State, the Big-12 really couldn’t afford losing its best shot at a Final Four berth in Oklahoma. Because of the major shakeups in the East Region, Oklahoma is now the highest remaining seed in the region and their path to Indianapolis has a lot more merit than it did a week ago.

Dayton finishes its fantastic season with a 27-9 record.

The Sooners advance to their first Sweet 16 appearance since 2009.

Next: The Storm is Over Now