NORMAN, Okla. – Despite nine lead changes in the first half, the East Texas A&M University men's basketball team fell short to the Oklahoma Sooners, 84-56, on Thursday night at the Llyod Noble Center.
 
The Lions fall to 1-5 on the season, while the Sooners are now 4-0. The teams played each other for the first time since 1970.
 
The first two points of the game came from the Lions, as the lead continued to be exchanged through the first nine minutes of the game. OU used a 7-0 run with the game tied at 13 and did not trail again in the game.
 
The Lions trailed 38-33 at the half, but scored the first three points of the second half, though the next eight came from the Sooners, who used an 18-2 run to lead 56-38 at the 14:23 mark of the second half.
 
After shooting 50 percent from the field in the first half, the Lions shot just 28 percent in the second half, meanwhile, the Sooners shot 48 percent in the game, 50 percent in the second half, outscoring the Lions 46-23 in the final 20 minutes of the game.
 
Three Lions scored nine points each in the game. Scooter Williams Jr. (Chattanooga, Tenn.) added two rebounds two blocks, and two assists with his nine points, Josh Taylor (Norcross, Ga.) had team-best nine rebounds, while TJ Thomas (Memphis, Tenn.) added nine points, five rebounds, and five steals off the bench.
 
Both Evan Phelps (Duncanville) and Tay Mosher (The Colony) scored eight points each. Jeremiah Fiars had 19 points on 7 for 10 shooting for the Sooners.
 

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The Lions continue the stretch on the road at Stonehill on Monday at 7 p.m. central.