Sooner offense ignites, dominating turnovers and securing a spot in the championship on Sunday in Las Vegas
LAS VEGAS, Nev. — The Oklahoma Sooners men's basketball team extended its season by one more day with a commanding 82-69 victory over Baylor in the semifinals of the College Basketball Crown on Saturday at T-Mobile Arena.
The win pushes Oklahoma to 21-15 on the season and marks the eighth victory in the team's last nine games.
Oklahoma dominated in several key statistical categories, shooting an impressive 50 percent from the field compared to Baylor's 39 percent. The Sooners also exploited turnovers relentlessly, posting a staggering 21-2 advantage in points off turnovers.
Defensively, they limited the Bears to just one field goal over a critical stretch in the second half, turning a tight contest into a comfortable finish.
Leading the charge for the Sooners was junior guard Xzayvier Brown, who delivered a standout performance with game-high totals of 21 points, six assists, and a team-high six rebounds.
Brown played over 35 minutes without committing a single turnover and posted a +14 plus-minus rating, the best on the court. He was especially sharp in the first half, scoring 16 of his points while dishing out four assists and maintaining zero turnovers through the opening 20 minutes. His ability to control the tempo and make smart decisions proved pivotal in Oklahoma's control of the game.
Senior forward Tae Davis provided a strong second-half spark, scoring 11 of his 18 points after the break to help Oklahoma regain and extend its lead.
Sophomore forward Derrion Reid chipped in with 17 points, including key contributions during an early first-half surge. Sixth-year guard Nijel Pack added 15 points, four assists, and three steals, while also moving into 15th place on the NCAA Division I career list for made three-pointers with 432 after going 3-for-7 from beyond the arc.
The game unfolded with Oklahoma seizing early momentum. The Sooners led for nearly 19 minutes in the first half, trailing only briefly at 1-0 and 6-5. They built a solid advantage with an efficient 51-44 shooting edge and a 13-0 lead in points off turnovers, as Baylor committed eight miscues compared to Oklahoma's two.
A 9-0 run fueled by six points from Reid helped OU jump to a 14-6 lead, and a subsequent 10-2 spurt pushed the margin to 41-32 late in the half. Brown capped the opening period with a pair of free throws, sending Oklahoma into halftime with a 45-35 advantage.
Baylor (17-17) mounted a comeback attempt in the second half, ripping off a 17-6 run to briefly take a 52-51 lead with 13:15 remaining. It marked just the Bears' second and final lead of the half.
Oklahoma responded immediately, with Davis draining a three-pointer to ignite an 8-2 spurt that restored the lead at 55-54. The game stayed competitive until the final minutes. With 6:46 left and Oklahoma up by just two at 63-61, Baylor scored what would be their last field goal until the closing 31 seconds. F
rom that point, the Sooners outscored the Bears 19-8 over the final 6:18, pulling away decisively.Freshman big man Kai Rogers provided valuable energy off the bench in a career-high 16:57 of action, contributing four points, four rebounds, an assist, and a blocked shot while converting his only two field goal attempts. His presence added depth and physicality to Oklahoma's frontcourt rotation.
Historically, the Sooners improved to 47-25 all-time against Baylor. The Bears had dominated recent meetings, winning 11 of the previous 12 encounters before Saturday's result flipped the script in impressive fashion.
This victory represents more than just another win for a Sooners squad that entered the postseason as the first team left out of the NCAA Tournament. After a solid showing in the SEC Tournament, where they went 2-1 with wins over South Carolina and Texas A&M before falling to Arkansas, Oklahoma has carried that momentum into Las Vegas. They first survived an overtime thriller against Colorado in the quarterfinals and now find themselves one step away from tournament glory.
The Sooners' balanced attack, defensive intensity, and ability to capitalize on opponent mistakes have defined their late-season surge. Brown’s turnover-free efficiency, combined with timely scoring from Davis, Reid, and Pack, showcased the depth and experience that could prove decisive in Sunday’s final.
UP NEXT: As Oklahoma prepares for the championship game, the focus shifts to sustaining this level of execution against a tough opponent in West Virginia. A title would not only cap the season on a high note but also provide valuable momentum and confidence heading into the next campaign.
For a program looking to reestablish itself in the competitive SEC landscape, reachingand potentially winning the College Basketball Crown final sends a strong message about the direction of the program.
Fans in Las Vegas and back in Norman will be tuning in on FOX, hoping to witness history as the Sooners chase their first postseason tournament crown.
With the season extended at least one more day, Oklahoma has positioned itself for a memorable conclusion in the desert.