Oklahoma’s Late-Game Woes Continue in Painful Loss to Arkansas: A Familiar Script Repeats
The frustration is no longer simmering - it’s boiling over in Norman. Oklahoma’s 83-79 loss to No.
15 Arkansas on Tuesday night wasn’t just another notch in the loss column. It was the seventh straight defeat for the Sooners, and yet again, it came down to a game that slipped through their fingers in the final moments.
This isn’t a blip anymore - it’s a full-blown trend, and it’s threatening to define their season.
Let’s be clear: Oklahoma didn’t play poorly. In fact, for stretches, the Sooners looked like a team ready to snap out of their slump.
They came out with energy, shot the ball well, and even built a double-digit lead in the first half. But as has become all too familiar, the closing stretch was their undoing.
Another One That Got Away
Playing at home in Lloyd Noble Center, the Sooners jumped out to a 13-point lead in the first half behind a red-hot shooting performance. Nijel Pack was locked in early, scoring 16 points before halftime and hitting four of his six three-point attempts. As a team, OU shot 52.6% in the opening 20 minutes - their offense was clicking, and the crowd could feel it.
But Arkansas had answers. The Razorbacks were even more efficient in the first half, shooting a blistering 61.3% and finding success attacking the paint. Despite OU’s strong start, the Sooners went into the locker room with just a four-point lead, 48-44, and the momentum already felt like it was shifting.
The second half was a back-and-forth battle - 11 lead changes, no team ahead by more than four points until the final seconds. It was the kind of game where every possession mattered, and unfortunately for Oklahoma, they came up short when it counted most.
With just under 90 seconds to play, Pack buried a clutch three to give the Sooners a 79-78 lead. But Arkansas freshman Darius Acuff Jr. responded by hitting one of two free throws, then delivered the dagger - a three-point play with 20 seconds left, finishing through contact to put the Razorbacks up 81-79.
Oklahoma had a chance. Xzayvier Brown drove to the rim with 12 seconds left, but his shot was blocked. Arkansas secured the rebound, and Meleek Thomas iced the game with two free throws.
Game over. Another close one, another loss. And for the Sooners, the sting is starting to feel all too familiar.
Pack Shines, But It's Not Enough
Nijel Pack did everything he could to will Oklahoma to a win. He finished with a game-high 22 points, knocking down six threes and providing a steady offensive spark throughout. Three other Sooner starters reached double figures, giving OU a balanced scoring effort - something they’ve lacked at times this season.
But it wasn’t enough to overcome Arkansas’ dynamic backcourt. Acuff (21 points) and Thomas (16) combined for 37, and more importantly, they made the plays in crunch time. That’s been the difference in Oklahoma’s recent skid - opponents are executing late, while the Sooners are coming up short.
Three Takeaways from Another Gut-Punch Loss
1. Perimeter Defense Was Elite - But the Paint Was a Problem
Oklahoma came in knowing Arkansas was the SEC’s best three-point shooting team, and they rose to the challenge. The Sooners held the Razorbacks to just 2-of-17 from deep - a season-low 11.8% - completely neutralizing their perimeter game.
But the tradeoff was brutal. Arkansas feasted in the paint, outscoring Oklahoma 56-30 around the rim.
The Razorbacks converted 17-of-22 layup attempts, including Acuff’s game-winning and-one. For all the good work defending the arc, the Sooners couldn’t keep Arkansas out of the lane - and it cost them.
2. Strong Start, But Arkansas Owned the Final 28 Minutes
With 7:24 left in the first half, Oklahoma led 38-25. From that point on, Arkansas flipped the switch.
Over the final 27 and a half minutes, the Razorbacks outscored the Sooners 58-44. That’s not just a second-half slump - that’s nearly two-thirds of the game where OU was outplayed.
It’s not that Oklahoma stopped competing - they were right there until the final seconds - but the inability to sustain momentum and close out games has become a defining issue. The Sooners keep building leads, only to watch them evaporate down the stretch.
3. Bench Production Remains a Major Weakness
Depth continues to be a glaring issue for Oklahoma. Both teams played an eight-man rotation, but the difference in bench impact was stark. Arkansas’ reserves contributed 21 points on 9-of-14 shooting, while OU’s bench chipped in just nine points in limited minutes.
That lack of support puts a heavy burden on the starters, especially in tight, physical games that demand energy and execution late. Without more from the second unit, the Sooners are fighting an uphill battle every night.
Now sitting at 11-10 overall and 1-7 in conference play, Oklahoma is just three losses away from matching the longest losing streak in program history. The pressure is mounting, and the margin for error is gone.
They won’t have to wait long for their next shot at redemption. The Sooners stay home this week and welcome archrival Texas to Norman on Saturday. Rivalry games have a way of flipping the script - and Oklahoma desperately needs a new chapter.