Oklahoma
Texas
AUSTIN, Texas (03/07/2026) — In a classic Red River Rivalry shootout that lived up to its billing, the Oklahoma Sooners weathered a 30-point onslaught from Texas guard Jordan Pope to secure a hard-fought 88-85 victory over the Texas Longhorns at the Moody Center.
Oklahoma guard Nijel Pack led the Sooners with 23 points, hitting a series of critical second-half three-pointers that ultimately decided the contest. The win gives Oklahoma significant momentum heading into the SEC Tournament, closing out the regular season with a marquee road victory in front of a hostile crowd of 11,315.
How It Happened
The game was a high-octane, back-and-forth affair from the opening tip, featuring 11 ties and six lead changes. Oklahoma established an early rhythm, with Tae Davis scoring a layup just 40 seconds into the game. The teams traded baskets, with a Nijel Pack jumper giving the Sooners a 6-5 lead at the 16:50 mark. Oklahoma built its largest lead of the half, 20-14, before Texas began to claw back.
Jordan Pope was the catalyst for the Longhorns' offense, particularly from beyond the arc. His three-pointer with just under 11 minutes in the half cut the deficit to three. Later, trailing 29-25, Texas used a Dailyn Swain three to tie the game at 30, followed by another three from Pope to take a 33-30 lead. The Longhorns rode that momentum into the break, holding a 40-36 advantage at halftime.
The second half began with the same intensity. Pack drained a three-pointer just 49 seconds in to pull Oklahoma within one, but Pope answered immediately with a long-range jumper of his own to push the Texas lead back to 43-39. The game remained a one-possession contest for the next several minutes until the decisive Oklahoma run.
Turning Point
With the game tied 57-57 and under nine minutes remaining, Oklahoma's backcourt took control. Nijel Pack ignited the game-changing sequence, connecting on a 25-foot three-pointer with 8:26 on the clock to give the Sooners a 63-57 lead. Just over a minute later, Pack struck again from the same distance, silencing the Moody Center and extending the lead to 66-57.
Fellow guard Xzayvier Brown delivered the final blow of the run, sinking a 23-footer off a Pack assist at the 6:58 mark. The possession capped a blistering 9-0 run in just 88 seconds, pushing the Oklahoma lead to 69-57. Texas fought back, cutting the deficit to two points in the final minute, but the double-digit cushion created by that sequence proved insurmountable.
Star of the Game
While Jordan Pope’s 30-point performance for Texas was spectacular, Oklahoma’s Nijel Pack earned Star of the Game honors for his clutch shooting and leadership. Pack finished with 23 points, 5 rebounds, and 2 assists, but his impact went far beyond the box score. His back-to-back three-pointers in the second half single-handedly shifted the momentum and provided the separation the Sooners needed to win on the road. Xzayvier Brown also delivered a stellar performance for Oklahoma, pouring in 21 points and dishing out 4 assists.
For the Longhorns, Pope was magnificent in defeat, adding 6 rebounds to his game-high 30 points. Forward Dailyn Swain stuffed the stat sheet with 18 points, 7 rebounds, and a game-high 8 assists.
What It Means
For the Oklahoma Sooners, this victory is a significant confidence booster. Defeating a rival on their home court to close the regular season provides a major lift as they prepare for the postseason. The Sooners' ability to win a high-scoring shootout, powered by their guard play, demonstrates they can compete in any style of game.
The loss is a frustrating end to the regular season for the Texas Longhorns. Despite a brilliant individual effort from Pope and a strong offensive showing, they were unable to get the defensive stops necessary in the game's most critical moments. The Longhorns will look to regroup quickly before heading to the SEC Tournament, aiming to clean up their late-game execution.