Saturday’s Georgia-Oklahoma matchup at Lloyd Noble Center had all the makings of a high-energy non-conference clash - and then things got really heated. Literally.
Just minutes into the game, action came to a sudden halt when a popcorn machine at one of the arena’s concession stands caught fire. Yes, you read that right - not a scoreboard issue, not a wet floor, not even a rogue bat flying around the rafters.
A popcorn machine. Cue the sprinklers, a brief evacuation, and a five-minute delay that left fans rubbing their eyes in disbelief.
Fortunately, no injuries were reported, and arena security acted quickly to clear the area. The fire was extinguished without incident, and play resumed shortly after. But for a few surreal minutes, it felt like the game had taken a detour straight into a sports blooper reel.
Once the smoke cleared - both literally and figuratively - the Sooners got down to business. Oklahoma handled Georgia with confidence, cruising to a 94-78 win in front of their home crowd.
Tae Davis led the charge with an efficient 19-point outing, adding five rebounds and three assists in a well-rounded performance. Nijel Pack chipped in 18 points, six rebounds, and three assists of his own, showing off the kind of two-way poise that’s been key for the Sooners this season.
Oklahoma’s supporting cast also stepped up. Kuol Atak poured in 18 points, while Dayton Forsythe added 13. The Sooners moved the ball well, found high-percentage looks, and played with the kind of pace that made Georgia uncomfortable from the jump.
For the Bulldogs, Blue Cain was a bright spot, leading all scorers with 20 points. Marcus Millender added 16, and Georgia had four players in double figures - but they struggled to contain Oklahoma’s rhythm on both ends of the floor. The loss drops Georgia to 17-8 on the season, a setback they’ll need to bounce back from quickly as the SEC schedule tightens.
With the win, Oklahoma climbs to 13-12 and builds a bit of momentum heading into the final stretch of the regular season. They’ve got six games left before Selection Sunday, starting with a tough road test against Tennessee on Wednesday.
So yes, the popcorn fire was bizarre - the kind of thing you don’t expect to see in a Division I basketball game. But once the flames were out, the Sooners lit it up in a far more conventional way: with sharp passing, balanced scoring, and a statement win that keeps their postseason hopes flickering.