# SEC Men's Basketball: Oklahoma Sooners Defeats Colorado Buffaloes 90-86 **Published:** 2026-04-01 — **By:** Stacy Stanfield **Category:** games — **Type:** game-recap **Source:** https://secscouts.com/news/oklahoma-sooners-defeats-colorado-buffaloes-sec-basketball-recap **Teams:** [Oklahoma](https://secscouts.com/oklahoma/) --- LAS VEGAS, Nev. (03/31/2026) — The Oklahoma Sooners secured a hard-fought overtime victory against the Colorado Buffaloes, 90-86, on Tuesday night at the MGM Grand Garden Arena in a contest defined by clutch shooting and dramatic momentum swings. Four Sooners reached double-figures, led by guard Nijel Pack's 20 points, including two critical three-pointers in the extra period. Tae Davis added 19 points, Xzayvier Brown contributed 17, and Kuol Atak scored 16 in a balanced offensive effort. For Colorado, guard Barrington Hargress delivered a spectacular performance in the loss, pouring in a game-high 31 points. ### How It Happened Colorado set the pace early, building a multi-possession lead in the first half behind strong outside shooting. A three-pointer from Ian Inman at the 17:34 mark gave the Buffaloes a 5-4 advantage, and they would hold the lead for the remainder of the half. Felix Kossaras and Inman connected on additional shots from deep, and a step-back 29-footer from Hargress with 4:49 remaining pushed the Colorado lead to 33-26. Oklahoma weathered the storm, receiving timely buckets from Kuol Atak, who hit a three-pointer and a dunk in quick succession to keep the Sooners within striking distance. Despite a late three from Atak, Colorado took a 41-37 lead into the locker room after Xzayvier Brown drained a 31-foot jumper as the half expired, providing a crucial momentum boost for the Sooners. The second half remained a tightly contested affair. Colorado maintained its edge for the first ten minutes, with a Kossaras three-pointer extending the lead to 56-50 with 11:27 on the clock. That's when Oklahoma made its move. A 27-foot jumper from Atak tied the game at 58-58, and on the next possession, Nijel Pack hit a deep three-pointer to give the Sooners their first lead since the opening minutes. The play capped a 10-0 run that shifted the game's complexion. The final two minutes of regulation were frantic. Atak connected on another three with 1:51 left, putting Oklahoma ahead 74-67. But Hargress answered for Colorado, hitting a three-pointer and then slicing through the lane for a driving layup with just one second remaining to tie the game at 74-74 and force overtime. ### Turning Point After trading baskets to start the overtime period, the game was deadlocked at 77-77. With 3:38 remaining, Nijel Pack rose up and drained a 26-foot three-pointer, giving the Oklahoma Sooners a lead they would not surrender. A minute later, Xzayvier Brown found Tae Davis for an alley-oop dunk that pushed the lead to 82-79. Pack's clutch shooting in the game's most critical moment provided the separation Oklahoma needed to close out the victory, which Brown sealed with two free throws in the final seconds. ### Star of the Game While Barrington Hargress was the game's leading scorer, Oklahoma's Nijel Pack earned star honors for his pivotal overtime performance. Pack finished with 20 points and a team-high 5 assists. His back-to-back three-pointers in overtime—the first to take the lead and the second to extend it—were the decisive shots in a game that hung in the balance. His composure and shot-making under pressure were the difference for the Sooners. ### By the Numbers The final stat sheet reflects the close nature of the contest. Colorado won the rebounding battle 45-38, but the Buffaloes were hampered by 15 turnovers, compared to just nine for Oklahoma. The Sooners' ability to protect the basketball and execute in the half-court proved vital. While neither team shot particularly well from the field (38% FG for Colorado, 37% for Oklahoma), the Sooners' balanced attack, with four players scoring 16 or more points, ultimately outlasted Hargress's singular heroics. --- *Original article: [SEC Men's Basketball: Oklahoma Sooners Defeats Colorado Buffaloes 90-86](https://secscouts.com/news/oklahoma-sooners-defeats-colorado-buffaloes-sec-basketball-recap) — SEC Scouts*