After two tough losses to start the season, all the Bearcats wanted was a victory.
That’s tough to do, however, when facing the No. 5 team in the nation.
The men’s basketball team held its own for as long as possible in front of a crowd of 11,102 at the Lloyd Noble Center before losing its third game of the season to Oklahoma (3-0) 88-60 on Wednesday night.
The Bearcats were down by only four points, 32-28, with 4:34 to go in the first half but the Sooners pulled away, going on an 18-3 run to end the half, powered by Michael Neal’s four three-pointers.
“Throughout the whole first half, we thought we could win the game,” said sophomore guard Mike Gordon. “It was a much different level.”
Senior forward Andre Heard, who returned to his hometown of Oklahoma City, led the Bearcats with 18 points in 39 minutes.
But Binghamton was overmatched on the glass and from beyond the arc. The Sooners out rebounded the Bearcats 40-22 and shot 55 percent from the floor, connecting on 11-of-20 three-pointers.
Behind Heard, Gordon had 14 points and three assists while junior forward Duane James added nine points and four rebounds.
The Bearcats are hoping this experience will pay off for them, especially when it comes time for America East play.