The Oklahoma Sooners suffered another heartbreaking loss on Saturday, falling 87-84 to the Ole Miss Rebels in a closely contested battle at the SJB Pavilion. The loss adds another dent to Oklahoma’s already slim NCAA Tournament hopes, as they now sit at 17-12 overall and 4-12 in SEC play.
Despite a career-high performance from freshman guard Dayton Forsythe, the Sooners couldn’t hold onto a late lead, allowing a go-ahead three-pointer from former Edmond Memorial standout Sean Pedulla in the closing seconds to seal the Rebels’ victory. Ole Miss, now 20-9 (9-7 SEC), snapped a three-game losing streak and bolstered their postseason resume with the win.
First Half: Surviving the Early Storm
The Rebels controlled much of the first half, leading by as many as 11 points. Oklahoma struggled to find offensive consistency early, committing nine first-half turnovers. The Rebels capitalized on these mistakes, scoring 14 points off turnovers and keeping the Sooners on their heels.
However, Oklahoma kept itself in the game with strong three-point shooting and near-perfect free-throw accuracy. The Sooners knocked down six of 13 three-point attempts (46.2%) and went 10-of-11 from the free-throw line in the first half. Transfer guards Brycen Goodine, Duke Miles, and Kobe Elvis accounted for all six of Oklahoma’s made three-pointers, helping the Sooners trim the deficit to just one at halftime, 39-38.
Second Half: Forsythe’s Career Night Keeps Sooners Alive
Oklahoma briefly took the lead at the start of the second half, but Ole Miss responded quickly, setting up a back-and-forth affair for the remainder of the game. Freshman guard Dayton Forsythe delivered a standout performance, scoring 23 of his career-high 25 points in the second half. He shot an efficient 7-of-9 from the field, including 4-of-5 from three-point range, and was perfect from the free-throw line (7-of-7).
Forsythe wasn’t alone in leading the charge. Duke Miles was electric in the final minutes, using his quickness to drive past Ole Miss defenders and finish at the rim. Miles contributed 15 points on 5-of-8 shooting, while freshman guard Jeremiah Fears added 13 points and seven assists.
The game remained a tightly contested affair, with 12 lead changes and six ties in the second half. Every time Oklahoma made a push, Ole Miss had an answer, whether through clutch baskets or key defensive plays.
Closing Moments: A Crushing Finish for Oklahoma
With under a minute remaining, Oklahoma found itself in a prime position to steal the win. Miles made a strong drive to the basket, scoring a layup that gave the Sooners an 84-82 lead with 31 seconds left. However, on the ensuing Ole Miss possession, Sean Pedulla delivered the game’s most significant shot—a deep three-pointer that put the Rebels ahead 85-84 with 18 seconds remaining.
Oklahoma had one last chance to reclaim the lead. Following back-to-back timeouts, Miles drove towards the rim but was met by heavy defense. He kicked the ball out to Forsythe, who attempted a baseline floater while absorbing contact. The shot missed, and officials ruled it an illegal over-the-backboard attempt, resulting in a turnover with just seconds left.
Forced to foul, Oklahoma sent Ole Miss’ Matthew Murrell to the free-throw line, where he knocked down both shots to extend the lead to 87-84. On the final possession, the Sooners had a desperate attempt to tie, but Miles’ three-quarter-court heave fell short as the buzzer sounded.
Key Takeaways
1. Dayton Forsythe’s Breakout Performance
Despite the loss, Forsythe’s stellar night was a major bright spot for the Sooners. The freshman guard demonstrated poise and scoring ability well beyond his years, nearly carrying Oklahoma to victory. His efficiency—both from deep and at the free-throw line—was particularly impressive and a sign of promise for the Sooners’ future.
2. Turnovers Continue to Be an Issue
Oklahoma’s inability to protect the ball in the first half once again proved costly. The Sooners turned it over 13 times, allowing Ole Miss to generate crucial points in transition. While they cleaned up their ball control in the second half, the early struggles contributed to their uphill battle throughout the game.
3. Ole Miss’ Free-Throw Advantage
One of the defining statistical differences in the game was free-throw shooting in the second half. While Oklahoma remained efficient (10-of-11 from the line), Ole Miss had a greater volume of attempts and capitalized, making 17-of-22. This disparity played a key role in keeping the Rebels ahead in the closing moments.
Looking Ahead
The loss puts Oklahoma in a precarious position as they fight to stay on the NCAA Tournament bubble. With only two regular-season games remaining, the Sooners need a strong finish to have any hope of securing a tournament bid. They return to Norman on Wednesday for Senior Night, where they will face No. 14 Missouri in another must-win matchup.
For now, the Sooners are left wondering what could have been, as another late-game opportunity slipped through their fingers in heartbreaking fashion.
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