The Sooners just reminded everyone who runs Bedlam.
Oklahoma men’s basketball took care of business Saturday in Oklahoma City, outlasting Oklahoma State 85-76 in a game that saw big swings, clutch shot-making, and one decisive second-half surge that tipped the balance for good. This one had the energy of a rivalry, the intensity of a Top 25 showdown, and a stretch of basketball that showed why Oklahoma is starting to look like a team that could make some noise this season.
Let’s start with the turning point. With just under 11 minutes to play and Oklahoma State holding a slim two-point lead, the Sooners flipped the script with a 19-8 run that broke the game open. It wasn’t flashy, but it was efficient-and it started with a 7-0 burst that set the tone for the rest of the half.
Xzayvier Brown got things rolling by tying the game at 53 with a smooth finish, and from there, Oklahoma went to work. Mohamed Wague followed with a bucket, Tae Davis added a layup, and Dayton Forsythe knocked down a pair of free throws. Just like that, the Sooners were in control-and they never let it go.
Oklahoma State tried to hang around, but they could never string together a run of their own. In the final 7:34, neither team managed back-to-back field goals without the other answering, which played right into Oklahoma’s hands. The Cowboys needed a spark, but the Sooners never let them find one.
Brown led the way with 21 points for Oklahoma, showing poise and aggression throughout. Nijel Pack added 18, giving the Sooners a steady backcourt punch that kept the offense humming. On the other side, Oklahoma State had four players in double figures, led by Kanye Clary’s 18 points, but they couldn’t find the extra gear when it mattered most.
Statistically, this one was tighter than the final score might suggest. Both teams had their moments, but Oklahoma found their edge in two key areas: rebounding and the three-point line.
The Sooners outworked the Cowboys on the glass, pulling down 46 boards to OSU’s 36. That kind of margin matters in a rivalry game, especially when second-chance points and momentum swings are on the line.
And from beyond the arc, Oklahoma hit 13 of 33 (39%), while Oklahoma State managed just 9 of 29 (31%). In a game where every possession counted, those extra threes added up.
This win marks Oklahoma’s fourth straight in the Bedlam series, flipping the script after OSU had won the previous three. And while bragging rights are always nice, this one also carries weight for a Sooners squad trying to build consistency and confidence heading into conference play.
Next up, Oklahoma returns home to Norman for a Tuesday night matchup against Kansas City. The Kangaroos, sitting at 1-9, haven’t had much go their way this season. For the Sooners, it’s a chance to keep the momentum rolling-and maybe sharpen a few things before the competition ramps up again.
But for now, Oklahoma owns Bedlam-and they earned it.