USU Men’s hoops knock off Oklahoma to win Myrtle Beach Invitational

When Utah State Men’s Basketball faced off against the Oklahoma Sooners in the Myrtle Beach Invitational Championship Game on Sunday afternoon, it was just the second time the two schools had met on the hardwood. The last matchup was the 1939 NCAA Tournament in the Elite Eight when Oklahoma won 39-50.

Now, Utah State evened the series by beating the Sooners 73-70. 

The game was hard-fought and neither team ever led by double digits or more.

Justin Bean said, “It was a battle, man. It was punch for punch… It felt like a competitive game and a physical game.”

Bean reclaimed the position of top scorer for the Aggies, a title he’s coming familiar with so far this season. He recorded his 30th career triple-double and fourth in five games this season with a game-high of 24 points, a career-high of 19 rebounds, three assists, and two steals. 

When asked about Bean’s performance throughout the invitational, coach Ryan Odom said, “It’s like Wilt Chamberlain, it’s crazy.”

Bean was named tournament MVP after averaging 24.7 points and 14 rebounds through three games. 

Brock Miller was the second-leading scorer for the Aggies and scored his season-high of 16 due, in part, to four catch-and-shoot threes that he knocked down. 

Utah State controlled the pace of the game during the first half and led by as many as five. The Aggies took a two-point lead into the half, but in the second half Oklahoma quickly took it over. The Sooners started the half on a 6-2 run that lasted four and a half minutes. They’d lead as much as seven. 

With Oklahoma closing in on the trophy, back-to-back threes by Miller changed the momentum late in the game. The first one gave the Aggies a 67-66 lead with 1:46 remaining. Another three by Miller just moments later extended the lead to 70-66. Utah State would maintain the lead for the remainder of the game. 

This game and tournament could have major repercussions throughout the year. Getting a Big 12 victory in a game that Bean said felt just like an NCAA Tournament game is nothing to overlook and should boost Utah State’s confidence. On top of that, winning three games in four days in a tournament setting, including a double-overtime game, a convincing double-digit win and a power five-win, is a huge resume builder for the Aggies and could have a big payout in the future.