HONOLULU, HAWAII---By far the biggest surprise of the 2015 Hawaiian Airlines Diamond Head Classic, Zena Edosomwan's Harvard Crimson had a unique opportunity to knock off a top five team this evening. However, the big question was: Did Harvard have another momentum stealing run left in their arsenal?

No, no they did not.

Giving their opponent a taste of their own medicine early, the third ranked Oklahoma Sooners rode away to an early eight-point lead on the back of a 15-7 spurt, in which eight points came from Jordan Woodard (15:17 1st half). However, unlike some teams who have fell behind by such a margin and then packed their bags to go home, "jazzy junior" Zena Edosomwan was able to produce 4 points, starting a 14-5 run, which helped steal a 21-20 lead for the Crimson (11:10 1st half).

Later in the half, Harvard was able to extend their stranglehold to six (37-31) thanks to six straight points produced by double-double machine Edosomwan.

Was this just the beginning of an upset leading run? 

No, no it was not.

Thanks to an Isaiah Cousins made jumper and a pair of made free throw attempts by Woodard, Lon Kruger's squad was able to salvage momentum heading into the locker room (37-35).

Now, if you were an Oklahoma Sooners' fan, then halftime at the Stan Sheriff Center had to be torture considering Harvard was hanging around and leading after the first twenty minutes. Nonetheless, if you were a Harvard Crimson fan and arrived back to your seat a little late, perhaps at the under 16 media timeout, then you had to be in a state of shock. Why? The Oklahoma Sooners were up 19!

Starting the second half with a pair of treys from big man Ryan Spangler, which transitioned to eight straight points by superstar Buddy Hield, and ended with two Woodard triples, Oklahoma went on a humongous 21-4 pull away to move their winning margin to 19. Less than two minutes later, 4 more of Hield's 23 second half points helped the Sooners to a game-high 20-point advantage (62-42). The game seemed over and the championship Oklahoma's. Though, it was anything but.

Held to 10 points against Kansas, Harvard star Zena Edosomwan wanted to prove he could lace them up with the best. Furthermore, considering his team was down 20, the Crimson needed him more than ever. The best always produce in crunch time, right? Absolutely! 

Propelling the Ivy League powerhouse on a 12-0 comeback run with 5 of his team-high 25 (he had 16 rebounds as well!), Edosomwan positioned Harvard down only eight (62-54) with plenty of time left (8:16). Unfortunately for him, his group posting eight more points than Oklahoma in the final eight minutes would prove to be a challenge too insurmountable.

Although the Crimson were able to draw within 5 with 4:28 remaining in regulation (70-65), the best guard trio in college basketball (Hield, Woodard, and Cousins) combined for all 13 Sooner points while netting seven of nine attempts at the charity stripe to clinch a 83-71 win. 

Ironically, despite Crimson being a Christmas color, Harvard's undefeated run in Hawaii was over.

Hield Yeah!

Landing in Honolulu as the most talented player, Oklahoma's Buddy Hield was looking to put together a three-game stretch Hawaii would never forget. 86 points in three days definitely accomplished the task! Breaking a tournament record for points previously held by former Washington State star and current Golden State Warriors' guard Klay Thompson, the "star senior" and 2015 Hawaiian Airlines Diamond Head Classic Most Valuable Player came up big by bucketing a season-high 34 points tonight. And the most impressive part you ask? He only missed 3 field goal attempts while making 11! Additionally, the 6'4" guard scored 4 more second half points this evening, then he combined for in his first two outings (19)! Backcourt mate Jordan Woodard also had a very strong showing against Harvard, for he supplied 28 points on 9 for 13 shooting from the floor. 11-0 Oklahoma, still one of five undefeated teams, starts Big 12 play on January 2 with conference contender and former unbeaten Iowa State. 

A Positive Time Nonetheless

Beginning the week with their best win coming against Boston University of the Patriot League, the Harvard Crimson have finally shown some life without star Siyani Chambers thanks to wins against BYU and Auburn. Granted, with losses to Holy Cross and Northeastern, Tommy Amaker's group is not even close to being considered for an at-large bid, but these wins will definitely serve as confidence builders when Ivy League play commences. And we all must remember, there is no Ivy League Tournament, for the team with the best record takes home the NCAA Tournament automatic bid. Therefore, from the conference opener to the conference finale, all games hold the same significance and value. The 5-7 Crimson have two more "tune-ups" prior to their Ivy League opener versus Dartmouth on January 9.