Oklahoma Sooners Eliminated from SEC Tournament on Otega Oweh’s Last-Second Shot…

Oklahoma Sooners Eliminated from SEC Tournament on Otega Oweh’s Last-Second Shot…

 

In a heart-stopping finish, the Oklahoma Sooners saw their SEC Tournament hopes dashed in the final moments of a thrilling matchup against the Arkansas Razorbacks on Thursday night. The Sooners had fought valiantly throughout the game, but a clutch last-second shot by Arkansas’ Otega Oweh ended Oklahoma’s tournament run and left fans and players stunned as the Razorbacks secured a 78-76 victory.

 

From the opening tip, both teams showcased their prowess, with the game going back and forth in a tightly contested affair. Oklahoma, led by standout performances from their senior players, including guard Elijah Harkless and forward Tanner Groves, found themselves neck-and-neck with Arkansas throughout the first half. The Sooners’ defense was solid early on, containing Arkansas’ dynamic scoring duo, JD Notae and Jaylin Williams, while capitalizing on key three-pointers to keep the game within reach.

 

At halftime, the score was tied 38-38, a perfect reflection of the evenly matched competition on display. Both teams were aggressive offensively, pushing the pace and looking for any opportunity to break the deadlock. The Sooners appeared to have the upper hand as they came out of the locker room with renewed intensity, pulling ahead by as many as seven points midway through the second half.

 

However, Arkansas wasn’t about to go down without a fight. With less than three minutes left in regulation, Notae—who had been relatively quiet for most of the game—took over, hitting a key three-pointer and driving to the basket for a crucial layup, tying the game at 74. Tensions rose as the clock ticked down, both teams desperately trying to find a way to close out the game.

 

Oklahoma had one final chance to take the lead with 30 seconds remaining. After a missed shot from Groves, the Sooners fouled Arkansas, sending the Razorbacks to the line. Arkansas split their free throws, giving Oklahoma a slim 76-75 lead with just under 10 seconds to play.

 

With the game hanging in the balance, Arkansas set up for one final possession. Coach Eric Musselman drew up a play for Oweh, the Razorbacks’ dynamic freshman, to take the last shot. Oweh, who had been a key contributor throughout the game, stood poised as the clock ticked down. As the ball was inbounded to him at the top of the arc, Oweh faked a drive to the basket before pulling up for a contested jumper.

 

Time seemed to freeze as the ball sailed through the air, arching perfectly toward the basket. In the blink of an eye, the buzzer sounded just as Oweh’s shot swished through the net, sending the Razorbacks into a euphoric celebration and the Sooners into heartbreak. The final score read 78-76 in favor of Arkansas.

 

“I just took what the defense gave me,” said Oweh, who finished with 16 points. “It was a tough game, and I knew I had to be ready for that moment.”

 

The Sooners were left to reflect on what had been a valiant effort but ultimately an agonizing defeat. “We fought hard the entire game, but it came down to one possession,” said Oklahoma head coach Porter Moser. “I’m proud of the guys for their effort, but unfortunately, we didn’t make the plays when we needed to.”

 

For Oklahoma, the loss means they will not advance to the next round of the SEC Tournament, ending their hopes for a conference title. However, with the NCAA Tournament still on the horizon, the Sooners will now turn their focus to the upcoming selection process, hoping to secure a spot in the Big Dance despite the tough end to their SEC run.

 

As for Arkansas, Oweh’s heroic shot propelled them into the next round, where they will look to continue their tournament journey with eyes set on the SEC crown. The Razorbacks will face a formidable opponent in the semifinals, but for now, they’re savoring the thrill of a last-second victory that will surely go down as one of the tournament’s most memorable moments.