It was one of those afternoons in Norman where the air felt heavy with expectation. Everyone at the Lloyd Noble Center thought the skid was finally over. But then, the second half happened. If you are looking for who won the Oklahoma University game today, the answer is a tough one for Sooner Nation: No. 18 Alabama beat Oklahoma 83-81 in a heart-wrenching SEC battle.
The game ended with a frantic, desperate 27-footer from Nijel Pack that clanked off the back of the rim. Just like that, OU’s hopes for a season-defining upset vanished into the rafters.
A Tale of Two Halves in Norman
Honestly, the first twenty minutes were a masterclass in defensive execution. Porter Moser’s squad looked like they had finally figured it out. They absolutely suffocated Alabama’s high-octane perimeter game, holding the Crimson Tide to a dismal 4-for-19 from beyond the arc.
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OU went into the locker room with a commanding 44-33 lead after an 11-0 run to end the half. Lloyd Noble was rocking.
Then came the "Bama Blur."
Alabama opened the second half on a 12-0 tear. It took them less than three minutes to erase everything Oklahoma had built. Labaron Philon, who has been on an absolute tear lately, dropped 17 of his 23 points in the second half. He just couldn't be stopped. Whenever the Sooners tried to reclaim momentum, Philon or Aiden Sherrell (who finished with 21 points) found a way to quiet the crowd.
The Stats That Mattered
While the final score is the headline, the "how" is just as important. Oklahoma actually led for over 22 minutes of this game. Alabama only led for about 11.
- Labaron Philon (Bama): 23 points, including two massive back-to-back threes to tie it late.
- Xzayvier Brown (OU): 21 points. He was almost perfect from the line until it mattered most.
- Derrion Reid (OU): 16 points and 9 boards. He was playing with a massive chip on his shoulder against his former team but battled leg cramps late in the game.
- Aiden Sherrell (Bama): 21 points and 9 rebounds. He dominated the interior in the second half.
That Chaotic Final Minute
You've gotta feel for Xzayvier Brown. Entering today, he was the SEC’s top free-throw shooter at 93%. With 7 seconds left and OU trailing by three, he was fouled on a "circus" three-point attempt.
He drained the first. Swished the second.
The third one? It rimmed out. It was his first miss in nine attempts today.
After Alabama’s Amari Allen hit a free throw to make it a two-point game, OU had 4.1 seconds to go the length of the floor. Nijel Pack got a decent look—a contested 27-footer—but it just didn't have the magic. Mohamed Wague tried to tip it in at the buzzer, but it was too little, too late.
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What This Means for the Sooners
This loss is a massive blow to Oklahoma’s NCAA Tournament resume. It is their fourth straight loss, dropping them to 11-7 overall and a worrying 1-4 in SEC play.
They needed this. They are hungry for a win against a ranked opponent, and having it slip through their fingers at home is going to sting for a while. On the flip side, Alabama moves to 13-5 (3-2 SEC) and continues to look like a legitimate contender in the conference despite their early-season struggles.
Key Takeaways and Next Steps
- Free Throw Woes: Alabama actually struggled from the line, going 15-for-26. Usually, that's a recipe for an upset, but OU couldn't capitalize.
- Health Watch: Keep an eye on Derrion Reid. He had to be helped to the locker room late in the second half with what looked like severe cramping. He returned, but his mobility was clearly limited.
- The Schedule Ahead: It doesn't get easier. Oklahoma has to travel to Columbia to take on South Carolina on Tuesday.
- Defensive Lapses: The Sooners' inability to guard the three-point line in the second half (after being so dominant in the first) is something Coach Moser will likely be losing sleep over tonight.
If you're heading to the next home game, keep the faith. This team shows flashes of brilliance, especially in that first half. They just need to find a way to play a full 40 minutes of Sooner basketball.
Next Step for Fans: Check the availability of tickets for the January 27th home game against Arkansas. With the team on a losing streak, the Lloyd Noble Center needs to stay loud to help them break out of this slump.