Branch Scorches the Net, Roos Fall Short at Oklahoma

Tuesday, December 16

Norman, OK

6:00 PM

Kansas City

2-10,0-0Summit League

Oklahoma

8-3,0-0SEC

Kansas City

Oklahoma

Photo by: Evan Gibson

Branch Scorches the Net, Roos Fall Short at Oklahoma

12/16/2025 8:33:00 PM | Men's Basketball

Box Score Highlights

Karmello Branch went for a game-high 23 points, knocking down six three-pointers

NORMAN, Okla. - Kansas City Men's Basketball (2-10) played well in the second half, outscoring Oklahoma by five (8-3) in an eventual 89-67 loss. The Roos dropped 40 second half points, led by a hot-shooting Karmello Branch, who finished with a game-high 23 points on 7-of-12 shooting. Branch scored 17 of his 23 in the second half, pulling Kansas City as close as 17 points after trailing by as many as 31.

The Roos struck first on a three-pointer by Jerome Palm, but it was all Sooners after that in the first frame. OU responded by scoring the next 15 points, eventually snapped by a Jayson Petty triple. The Sooners continued building their lead throughout the half, taking a 27-point lead into the break.

Oklahoma scored the first four points of the second half, extending its lead to 31 before Branch caught fire. He found CJ Evans with a nifty pass inside for a layup at the 17:08 mark and from there his scoring prowess showed. He nailed his first three of the half and proceeded to score eight-straight points for the Roos. His final field goal of the night cut the deficit to 17 points with just under four minutes remaining, finishing the night with a career-high 23 in his second-straight double-figure scoring game.

Branch becomes the first Kansas City player to post a 20-plus point performance against a Power Conference opponent since Jamar Brown against Iowa State on Nov. 11, 2024. He is the first to score 23 or more against a Power Conference team since Evan Gilyard II went for 28 against Missouri on Nov. 15, 2021.

Branch was joined in double digits by Jayson Petty, who finished with 12 points and Chris Dockery, who went for 10. Palm was the Roos' leading rebounder with 10, his third-straight game with 10-plus boards. Evans impressed with a career-high eight assists, the most by a KC player against a Power Conference team since Brandon McKissic went for eight against Kansas on Dec. 14, 2019.

The Roos are back in action on Thurday with another test, taking on Oklahoma State in a 7 p.m. tip.