he Sooners’ first Battle 4 Atlantis championship comes with a dramatic finish against Louisville.
Nassau, Bahamas – Oklahoma basketball has its first island trophy.
The Sooners capped off a perfect run in the Battle 4 Atlantis on Friday, defeating Louisville 69-64 in the championship game at the Imperial Arena. The win pushed Oklahoma’s record to 7-0, with key victories over Providence and Arizona earlier in the week to set up the dramatic showdown with the Cardinals.
Oklahoma forward Jalon Moore led the way, scoring 24 points to fuel the offense, but it was a pivotal defensive play from Sam Godwin with just seconds remaining that sealed the victory for the Sooners.
“Sam was incredible in that moment,” said OU head coach Porter Moser. “We told him to stay active and keep jumping. He just kept at it, and not only did he get the deflection, but he had the awareness to keep the ball in bounds and make a play. That’s championship-level defense right there.”
With Louisville trying to set up a final play, Godwin leaped to steal an inbounds pass in front of the Oklahoma bench, maintaining possession and forcing the Cardinals to foul. Duke Miles then sank two free throws to put the game out of reach and give the Sooners their first-ever Battle 4 Atlantis title.
A Game of Contrasts
Despite being outmatched on the boards – with Louisville grabbing 21 offensive rebounds compared to OU’s 4 – Oklahoma found ways to win. The Cardinals dominated the paint, outscoring the Sooners 34-22 inside, and earned 25 second-chance points to OU’s 7.
However, Oklahoma’s free-throw shooting proved to be the difference. The Sooners were a stellar 19-of-25 from the line, while Louisville struggled at just 9-of-16.
“We didn’t have the rebounding numbers we wanted, but we kept our composure,” Moser said. “We made free throws when it mattered and got key stops down the stretch. That’s what champions do.”
Moore, who had a huge second half, finished the game 7-of-13 from the field, including 2-of-3 from 3-point range. He was also 8-of-9 from the free-throw line, helping to put the game away in the final minutes.
“He’s worked so hard on his shot,” Moser said of Moore. “When his feet are set and he’s shot-ready, he’s a very dangerous player. He’s also done a great job finishing through contact and getting to the line. He’s starting to show that next level in his game.”
Key Contributions from Taylor and Fears
Glenn Taylor added 12 points, including some timely buckets in the first half to keep Oklahoma in the game. Freshman point guard Jeremiah Fears chipped in 10 points and played a key role in orchestrating the offense down the stretch.
“The team played great together,” Taylor said. “We’ve got a lot of guys who can step up at any time. It’s just about staying focused and playing our brand of basketball.”
The Road to the Title
The Sooners’ victory in Atlantis capped off a week of impressive play. After a tight win over Providence in the opening round and a dominant showing against Arizona, the Sooners were primed for the championship game against Louisville, who had been playing similarly well throughout the tournament.
Oklahoma’s defense was tested by Louisville’s high-pressure style, but the Sooners’ balanced offense and clutch free-throw shooting proved too much for the Cardinals in the end. The victory solidified Oklahoma as a force to be reckoned with heading into the rest of the season.
Jalon Moore’s Transfer Drama
Despite the championship win, news broke later Friday that Oklahoma forward Jalon Moore would be entering the transfer portal, surprising many fans and teammates. Moore, who had been a major contributor to the Sooners’ tournament success, made the announcement on social media, explaining his decision to explore other opportunities for playing time and a new challenge, despite the team’s success.
“I’ve appreciated everything the coaches, my teammates, and the fans have done for me here at OU,” Moore wrote. “But after some reflection, I feel it’s time for me to move on to a new chapter in my basketball career. I’ll always be grateful for my time in Oklahoma.”
Moore’s decision came as a surprise, given his key role in the team’s success, but his talent and versatility will make him a sought-after player in the transfer market.
What’s Next for the Sooners
For now, the Sooners are basking in the glory of their biggest win of the season, but the journey is far from over. With conference play looming, Coach Moser and his squad know that the challenges are only going to get tougher as they move forward.
“Winning this tournament is a huge step for us,” Moser said. “But we’ve got bigger goals in mind. We’ll take this victory, learn from it, and continue to get better. We’re not done yet.”
With the foundation they’ve laid in the Bahamas, Oklahoma is now a team to watch as the rest of the season unfolds. Whether Moore remains with the team or not, the Sooners are on the hunt for more hardware. The momentum from Atlantis is only going to fuel their hunger for more.
