Butler Bulldogs at Oklahoma Sooners

Sooners top Butler 59-46 for Atlantis title berth

For now, their defense is more than enough.

"Our guys' awareness defensively was as good as it's been all year," Kruger said. "We really had five guys working together, which is what you're supposed to do on the defensive end."

Oklahoma (4-1) has held each of its opponents this season under 40 percent shooting. Butler's 14-for-59 performance was the worst against an Oklahoma team since Arkansas-Pine Bluff shot 9-for-44 in a 94-24 loss to the Sooners on Dec. 2, 2003.

Jordan Woodard and TaShawn Thomas each scored 10 points for the Sooners, who made their first 11 shots from 2-point range on the way to a quick 30-14 lead.

Oklahoma will face No. 2 Wisconsin in the title game Friday.

"That's what we came here for. That was our goal," Cousins said. "We're striving for greatness."

Kellen Dunham scored 17 points for Butler (4-1), which knocked off No. 5 North Carolina in the quarterfinals but went scoreless for an 8-minute second-half stretch against the Sooners.

"I'm not too concerned about that," Butler interim coach Chris Holtmann said. "I think our effort is there. We need to probably clean up a few things and we will, but I think we've played two good teams defensively, and I think Oklahoma has a chance to be outstanding defensively."

Butler trailed by as many as 17 early but got the first two baskets after halftime to pull within 36-28 on Andrew Chrabascz's jump hook with 17:46 left.

That would be the last real hurrah for the Bulldogs.

After Chrabascz's basket, Butler would miss its next 13 tries from the floor, including eight misfires from around the rim.

And that was more than enough for the Sooners, who scored 11 straight points to go up 47-28 on Cousins' 3-pointer with 9:42 left.

"We couldn't make shots," Chrabascz said. "If a couple more shots went in, it could have been a completely different game."

TIP-INS

Oklahoma: The Sooners finished 18 for 27 from 2-point range, 2 for 17 from 3-point range. ... After Butler grabbed a staggering 57 rebounds against North Carolina, the Sooners finished with a 41-32 edge on the backboards Thursday.

TOP 2 SO FAR

Helped in part by Battle 4 Atlantis participants Butler, Oklahoma and Georgetown, the Bulldogs-Sooners game pitted teams from the conferences with the best combined records in Division I entering the day. The Big East was 39-3; the Big 12 was 40-7.

SPANGLER'S BOARDS

Oklahoma forward Ryan Spangler had 10 rebounds on Thursday and only two shots. Spangler has 10 or more rebounds in four of Oklahoma's first five games.

UP NEXT

Butler: Faces Georgetown in third-place game Friday.

Oklahoma: Faces No. 2 Wisconsin in championship game Friday.

How can I watch Butler vs. Oklahoma?

• TV Channel: Butler at Oklahoma 2021 College Basketball, week 3, is broadcasted on ESPN.
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