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.