NORMAN — Jeremiah Fears stepped to the free-throw line with 29.5 seconds left on the clock Wednesday night as Oklahoma clung to a one-point lead against Texas A&M.
The Sooners’ standout freshman had an opportunity to put his team ahead by three and improve their chances of escaping with a win — a win probability that was already at 59.6% prior to Fears getting fouled, according to ESPN. Fears, who has been the catalyst of Oklahoma’s success this season, missed short on the front end of a one-and-one at the line. Texas A&M got the rebound and got Zhuric Phelps a clean look for a go-ahead 3-pointer with 19 seconds to play.
That 3-pointer — Phelps’ sixth of the night — was the difference in an 80-78 loss for Oklahoma, as the Sooners dropped their second consecutive game to start SEC play. As the Sooners have gotten off to a rough start in conference action, Fears has also had a tough go of things, having to adjust to more aggressive approaches from opposing teams in the way they defend the projected NBA Draft lottery pick…