Oklahoma squanders late lead, collapsing in the final minutes, and a frustrating eight-game losing streak continues after controlling play
NORMAN, Okla. - In a rivalry matchup that carried extra weight for the struggling Oklahoma Sooners, the team hosted the Texas Longhorns at the Lloyd Noble Center on January 31, 2026, hoping to snap a seven-game losing streak in SEC play. Instead, the Sooners extended their skid to eight, falling 79-69 in a game they largely controlled until a disastrous final stretch.
From an OU perspective, this defeat encapsulated the frustrations of a season gone awry: strong starts undermined by late-game collapses, inefficient shooting, and an inability to close out against a resilient opponent. With the loss, Oklahoma drops to 11-11 overall and a dismal 1-8 in the conference, putting their postseason aspirations in serious jeopardy.
The game began promisingly for the Sooners, who jumped out to a commanding 13-4 lead midway through the first half.
Senior guard Nijel Pack set the tone early, draining multiple three-pointers and converting a three-point play to energize the home crowd. Xzayvier Brown contributed with timely jump shots and offensive rebounds, while Derrion Reid added layups that helped extend the advantage to 14 points at one stage.
Oklahoma's defense looked sharp initially, forcing Texas into tough shots and capitalizing on turnovers. By halftime, the Sooners held a slim 33-30 edge, thanks to Pack's game-high 15 points in the opening period and a solid 44% field goal percentage. The team's three-point shooting (5-of-13) kept them ahead, but hints of vulnerability emerged as Texas closed the half on a 10-5 run, fueled by efficient interior scoring from Matas Vokietaitis and a dunk from Camden Heide.
The second half saw Oklahoma maintain control for much of the period, rebuilding their lead to six points with under eight minutes remaining. Pack continued his stellar play, hitting a jump shot to make it 50-47, and Kirill Elatontsev provided a spark off the bench with a timely three-pointer.
Reid's free throws and layups kept the Sooners in front, showcasing the freshman forward's growing poise. At this point, it felt like OU might finally turn the corner, especially with the home advantage and a rebounding edge (28-31 overall, including eight offensive boards that led to second-chance points).
However, the wheels came off in stunning fashion over the final seven-plus minutes, where Texas outscored Oklahoma 24-8. The Sooners went ice-cold, failing to make a field goal in the last 3:45 after Reid's layup cut the deficit to three. Turnovers plagued OU, including bad passes from Pack, and offensive fouls from Reid that halted momentum.
Defensively, Oklahoma couldn't contain Texas' paint dominance, allowing 42 points inside compared to their own 28. Dailyn Swain emerged as the villain for Sooners fans, posting a double-double with 18 points, 10 rebounds, and six assists, including clutch layups, dunks, and free throws that sealed the deal. A block by Chendall Weaver on Pack's layup attempt at the 5:11 mark swung the game decisively, leading to a Swain three-pointer that put Texas up 65-63 for good.
Pack led all Sooners scorers with 23 points on 9-of-22 shooting (3-of-8 from beyond the arc), adding three rebounds and three assists in a valiant effort that highlighted his leadership amid the team's woes.
Brown and Reid each chipped in 15 points, with Brown grabbing five rebounds and Reid matching that total while shooting an efficient 5-of-8 from the field. Elatontsev added nine points, providing some bench production. Overall, Oklahoma shot just 41% from the field (25-of-61) and 32% from three (9-of-28), while their 62.5% free-throw mark (10-of-16) left points on the board. The team recorded 11 assists but only eight steals and zero blocks, underscoring a lack of defensive disruption against Texas' scorching 61.2% field goal efficiency.
For head coach Porter Moser, now 1-8 lifetime against Texas, this loss stings as another missed opportunity in a season of close calls.
The Sooners' continue to show an inability to sustain leads—despite taking 11 more shots than Texas and attempting seven more threes—points to deeper issues with execution and composure under pressure.
This defeat extends Texas' winning streak at the Lloyd Noble Center to seven games, a bitter pill for Sooners faithful in the renewed Red River Shootout within the SEC.
UP NEXT: Looking ahead, Oklahoma faces a daunting road trip to Kentucky, followed by a matchup with Vanderbilt in Nashville. With NCAA Tournament hopes all but dashed, the focus shifts to building momentum for next season and developing young talents like Reid and Brown.
For a program with proud traditions, games like this serve as a stark reminder of the work needed to reclaim relevance in a loaded conference. The Sooners showed flashes of potential, but until they learn to finish strong, victories will remain elusive.