Oklahoma men’s basketball coach Porter Moser has emphasized the importance of late-game defensive stops all season. On Saturday night, his Sooners delivered just that in a must-win scenario, edging past rival Texas 76-72 in Austin.
The victory, which took place in front of a hostile crowd at the Moody Center, snapped an eight-game losing streak against the Longhorns and marked Moser’s first win over Texas since taking the job. It also served as Oklahoma’s first win in Austin since the 2020-21 season.
Entering the day, Oklahoma was projected as the “First Team Out” in ESPN bracketologist Joe Lunardi’s latest NCAA Tournament projection. Lunardi, who appeared on the SEC Network during the game, stated that the winner would move back into the projected tournament field, while the loser would have significant work to do in the SEC Tournament. With Selection Sunday looming, Oklahoma’s victory couldn’t have come at a better time.
Late-Game Heroics and Defensive Stand Seals Win
As Texas fans chanted “OU sucks” late in the game, senior guard Duke Miles silenced them with a clutch and-one finish under the basket, putting the Sooners up 69-66 with 2:42 remaining. His free throw conversion only amplified the Sooners’ fan presence in the upper sections of the arena. Just moments later, Brycen Goodine nailed a corner three-pointer to push Oklahoma’s lead to six, sparking chants of “Boomer Sooner” from the traveling OU contingent.
However, Texas made one last push. After Jordan Pope’s three-pointer brought the Longhorns within three at 75-72 with six seconds left, the Sooners found themselves in a precarious position. Miles had a chance to ice the game at the free-throw line but missed both attempts. Texas’ inbound pass, however, was mishandled, sealing Oklahoma’s hard-fought victory.
Balanced Scoring Propels Sooners
Oklahoma’s offense was a collective effort, with six players scoring in double figures. Goodine led the way with 14 points, followed by Jeremiah Fears (13), Miles (11), Jalon Moore (10), Luke Northweather (10), and Glenn Taylor Jr. (10).
Fears, a projected NBA lottery pick, had a rough shooting night, going just 2-for-14 from the field. However, he made up for it at the charity stripe, knocking down 9-of-10 free throws. Texas’ star guard, Tre Johnson, struggled even more, finishing 0-for-14 from the field and scoring all seven of his points from the free-throw line.
Stepping Up in Godwin’s Absence
The Sooners were without senior forward Sam Godwin, who was sidelined with a knee injury suffered against Missouri earlier in the week. His absence was felt, especially on the boards, but Oklahoma managed to hold its own in the rebounding battle.
Mo Wague made his first start for the Sooners, contributing three points in 13 minutes. However, it was the efforts of Northweather and Taylor Jr. that proved pivotal, as they combined for 20 points in extended minutes. Their contributions helped Oklahoma weather multiple Texas scoring runs and maintain control down the stretch.
Oklahoma’s NCAA Tournament Hopes Stay Alive
The Sooners’ win moves them to 19-12 overall and 7-11 in SEC play, positioning them as a bubble team for the NCAA Tournament. While the victory over Texas bolsters their resume, a strong showing in the SEC Tournament will be necessary to cement their place in March Madness.
Oklahoma enters the conference tournament as the No. 14 seed and will face No. 11-seeded Georgia in the first round. The matchup is set for Wednesday at 8:30 p.m. CT at Bridgestone Arena in Nashville, Tennessee, with coverage on the SEC Network.
A win against Georgia could set up a potential second-round clash with sixth-seeded Kentucky, providing another opportunity for the Sooners to strengthen their postseason case.
Final Thoughts
Saturday night’s win was a statement victory for Oklahoma, not just because it ended a painful losing streak against Texas, but because it showcased the team’s resilience in a high-pressure situation. Despite shooting struggles and the absence of a key player, the Sooners executed in the game’s biggest moments to come away with a crucial road win.
With Selection Sunday just days away, Oklahoma’s work isn’t done yet. But for now, they can celebrate a long-awaited triumph over their bitter rival and take momentum into the SEC Tournament.
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