Basketball is a game of two halves. Honestly, that’s such a cliché, but if you watched the score of the Oklahoma University game on Saturday, you know it’s the only way to describe the absolute rollercoaster that went down in Norman.
Oklahoma lost.
Final score: Alabama 83, Oklahoma 81.
It was brutal. Lloyd Noble Arena was rocking, the Sooners had an 11-point lead at the break, and then the wheels didn't just come off—they basically disintegrated. This wasn't just another January conference loss; it was the fourth straight defeat for Porter Moser’s squad, and it feels like the season is teetering on a very thin ledge right now.
Breaking Down the Score of the Oklahoma University Game
Let’s look at the numbers because they tell a story of total collapse and missed opportunities. At halftime, Oklahoma led 44-33. They were playing inspired, gritty basketball. But then the second half started. Alabama outscored the Sooners 50-37 in those final 20 minutes.
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Labaron Philon and Aiden Sherrell. Remember those names, because they’ll be in OU fans' nightmares for a week. Philon dropped 23, and Sherrell put up 21. They just couldn't be stopped when it mattered most.
Why the Momentum Shifted
The game was tied at 73 with about three minutes left. Philon hit back-to-back threes that felt like a punch to the gut. Even then, the Sooners had a chance. Xzayvier Brown, who is usually money from the free-throw line, got fouled on a three-point attempt with seven seconds left.
He made the first.
He made the second.
The third one? It rimmed out.
That miss meant OU had to foul, and after some chaotic free-throw trading, the Sooners had one last heave at the buzzer that didn't go. It's the kind of loss that makes you want to stare at a wall for three hours.
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Beyond the Box Score: The SEC Struggle
This was the program's first-ever home game against Alabama as an SEC opponent, and it was supposed to be a statement. Instead, it’s a reminder of how deep this league is. You can't just play one good half and expect a win.
- Shooting Woes: OU shot just 38.9% from the field. That’s not going to win many games in this conference.
- The Bench: Alabama’s depth showed up, even when their coach, Nate Oats, was reportedly "red hot" and throwing his suit jacket in the locker room at halftime.
- Free Throws: Ironically, OU actually shot 86.4% from the line, which is great. But that one miss at the end is the only one anyone will talk about.
What’s Next for the Sooners?
If you're looking for the score of the Oklahoma University game to find hope, you have to look at the fight they showed. They didn't fold when Bama went on a 12-0 run to start the second half. They punched back. They led 73-67 with under five minutes to go.
But "almost" doesn't count in the standings.
The schedule doesn't get any easier. When you're 11-7 and 1-4 in the SEC, every single game starts to feel like a "must-win" for tournament resume purposes. Porter Moser mentioned in the postgame that they had opportunities. He's right. They had plenty.
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The Football Context
For those of you who still have the 2025 football season on your mind, the score of the Oklahoma University game in the College Football Playoff back in December was also a heartbreaker. Alabama won that one too, 34-24. It seems like the Crimson Tide has become a persistent thorn in the side of Sooner Nation across all sports lately.
Practical Steps for Fans Following the Season
Keep an eye on the injury report. The rotation has been shortened lately, and tired legs might be contributing to these second-half collapses.
Check the upcoming schedule for "Quad 1" win opportunities. The Sooners need to steal a few road games or defend the home court against a top-10 opponent soon to fix their NET ranking.
Watch the freshman minutes. With the season sliding, Moser might start experimenting more with the younger guys to find a spark that the veterans aren't providing right now.
Stop dwelling on the final 83-81 score and look at the defensive rotations. The perimeter defense was the real culprit in the final four minutes, allowing those open looks for Philon. Correcting that is the only way to snap the four-game skid.