The Oklahoma Sooners took another step forward in their NCAA Tournament push on Wednesday night, defeating Georgia 81-75 in the first round of the SEC Tournament at Bridgestone Arena in Nashville. Behind a dominant performance from freshman standout Jeremiah Fears, Oklahoma secured its third consecutive win and moved to 20-12 on the season.
Fears Leads the Way
After a disappointing performance against Georgia earlier in the season, in which he scored just two points on 1-of-11 shooting, Fears made sure this meeting was different. The freshman guard erupted for 29 points, shooting 4-of-7 from beyond the arc and showcasing his ability to take over when the Sooners needed him most.
“I think it’s a lesson in life,” head coach Porter Moser said. “Our faith in God, putting us in tough situations, believing and fighting through hard times—this group has been resilient. We’ve had some gut-punch losses, but these guys kept believing and fighting.”
Alongside Fears, Mohamed Wague was a force in the paint, contributing 12 points and nine rebounds, including a crucial offensive board with 46 seconds remaining that helped seal the victory. Jalon Moore added 14 points, while Dayton Forsythe hit key free throws down the stretch to keep the Bulldogs at bay.
Second-Half Surge Powers Sooners
The Sooners led 43-39 at halftime after a scorching start from three-point range. Oklahoma shot 52% from the field in the first half and connected on 10-of-18 three-point attempts, with Fears and Moore each knocking down three triples.
However, Georgia came out strong to start the second half, going on a 12-5 run to take a 48-46 lead. The Bulldogs continued their momentum, eventually extending their advantage to 64-58 after a Blue Cain three-pointer with 8:26 left in the game.
But then came the game-changing moment for Oklahoma. Fears caught fire, scoring eight consecutive points as part of a massive 16-0 run that turned a six-point deficit into a 72-64 lead with just over three minutes remaining.
Georgia fought back late, trimming the deficit to four points twice in the final 19 seconds, but Oklahoma made its free throws and played strong defense to close out the game.
Defensive Adjustments and Clutch Plays
While Oklahoma’s offensive firepower was the headline, their defensive execution late in the game proved crucial. Georgia opened the second half shooting 53% from the field but cooled off as the Sooners tightened up defensively. Key turnovers from the Bulldogs, including a costly backcourt violation with 30.6 seconds left, gave Oklahoma the opportunities it needed to stay in control.
Moser praised his team’s resilience in the postgame interview. “This group has been through so much this season. To fight through adversity, to stay together when things got tough, that’s what makes this win special.”
The Road to the NCAA Tournament
With the victory, Oklahoma’s NCAA Tournament hopes received another boost. Entering the night, ESPN’s Joe Lunardi had the Sooners among his “Last Four In,” while CBS Sports’ Jerry Palm listed them as an 11-seed but still on the bubble. Wednesday’s win over Georgia—ranked No. 31 in the NCAA NET rankings—counts as another Quadrant 1 victory for Oklahoma, improving their record to 7-10 against Q1 opponents.
The Sooners’ recent form, including late-season wins over Missouri and Texas, has helped them climb in the NET rankings, and Wednesday’s performance could push them even further into the tournament discussion.
Up Next: A Rematch with Kentucky
Oklahoma’s reward for taking down Georgia is a second-round matchup with the Kentucky Wildcats on Thursday night. The Wildcats edged out the Sooners 83-82 in Norman back on February 26, setting the stage for an exciting rematch with both teams vying for postseason positioning.
Tipoff is scheduled for approximately 8:30 p.m. CT on SEC Network. If Oklahoma can pull off another upset, their path to the NCAA Tournament becomes even clearer.
For now, though, the Sooners can enjoy the moment—one step closer to March Madness, with momentum on their side.
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