Kobe Elvis scored a season-high 26 points as Oklahoma defeated Providence 79-77 in the Battle 4 Atlantis on Paradise Island, Bahamas, on Wednesday.

The Sooners (5-0) will face the winner of Wednesday’s game between Arizona and Davidson in Thursday’s semifinals. The Friars (5-1) will face the loser of this game.

Oklahoma led by nine points with 44 seconds left before Providence made a late push, taking advantage of some missed free throws by the Sooners.

Corey Floyd Jr.’s layup with five seconds left after an Oklahoma turnover cut the Friars’ deficit to two, 77-75.

Providence forced a Sooners timeout on the inbounds play, but Oklahoma eventually got the ball and Elvis hit both free throws to extend the lead to four.

But after Elvis’ second free throw, the Sooners were called to many players on the floor as Oklahoma’s Jacolb Fredson-Cole walked onto the court to check in, anticipating a stoppage in play.

The officials never stopped the game for the substitution, and not only was Providence’s quick foul called off, but the Friars were also awarded two free throws and the ball.

Jayden Pierre hit both free throws, but his desperation 3-pointer at the buzzer bounced off the back of the hoop, allowing the Sooners to win.

Pierre finished the game with 16 points and six rebounds for the Friars, who also got 16 points from Bensley Joseph and 17 from Wesley Cardet. Floyd had 13 points when he committed a foul with three seconds left.

Freshman Jeremiah Fears added 20 points, seven assists and four steals for the Sooners, but also committed eight turnovers before fouling out in the final minute.

Fears was 12 of 14 at the free throw line and scored 13 of his points in the second half.

It was his second straight 20-point game.

Providence made nine 3-pointers in the first half but hit just three in the second half as Oklahoma outscored the Friars 47-43 after halftime.

Providence again played without star forward Bryce Hopkins, who is out while he recovers from a torn anterior cruciate ligament suffered in January.

The Sooners got a key player back as Brycen Goodine (ankle) played for the first time since the season opener on November 4th. Goodine finished the game with seven points and six rebounds in 19 minutes off the bench.

–Field level media