Balanced Oklahoma beats East Carolina 79-74 in Myrtle Beach

Updated Nov. 18, 2021 9:34 p.m. ET

Associated Press

CONWAY, S.C. (AP) — Jordan Goldwire and Umoja Gibson each scored 13 points and Oklahoma beat East Carolina 79-74 on Thursday night in the Myrtle Beach Invitational.

Tristen Newton’s 3-pointer pulled the Pirates to 77-74 with 13 seconds left, their closest margin since the opening minute of the second half. Goldwire sealed it with two free throws.

Tanner Groves and Jalen Hill added 12 points apiece for Oklahoma (3-0). Elijah Harkless had 10 points. They combined for 17 of the Sooners' 31 rebounds.

Gibson made three 3-pointers while five others made one apiece for the Sooners, who shot 52% (25 of 48) overall.

Groves opened the second half with a three-point play, sparking a 22-6 run that stretched the Sooners' one-point halftime lead to 61-49, their largest advantage of the game. Harkless added seven points during the stretch.

Newton scored 18 points to lead East Carolina (3-1). Brandon Suggs added 14 points and Tremont Robinson-White had 12.

It was the first meeting between the teams, and Oklahoma's first in the invitational.

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