FAYETTEVILLE, Ark. — On Saturday night, Oklahoma secured a 65-62 victory over Arkansas, thanks in large part to Jeremiah Fears’ 16 points and Jalon Moore’s crucial contributions, including the last three points of the game, finishing with 13 total. The match was competitive, with Johnell Davis hitting a 3-pointer that allowed Arkansas to tie the game at 62. However, the Razorbacks could not score in the final 2:13 of play, which cost them the game. Moore successfully converted one of his two free throws with 1:15 left on the clock, giving Oklahoma a narrow lead before sealing the game with a fastbreak dunk just seconds before the final buzzer.
Fears displayed impressive shooting, making four out of eight attempts, including a 3-pointer, and sinking all seven of his free throws for the Sooners, who improved their record to 15-4 overall and 2-4 in the Southeastern Conference. This game marked their first conference road win this season and a much-anticipated back-to-back victory, breaking a prior four-game losing streak. Moore contributed additionally with six rebounds, hitting six out of 14 attempts.
Leading the Razorbacks was Davis, who scored 18 points despite only converting five of his 16 attempts. Arkansas, now sitting at 12-8 overall and 1-6 in the conference under first-year head coach John Calipari, has faced challenges this season, losing six of their last seven games. Alongside Davis, D.J. Wagner added 13 points and five assists, while both Adou Thiero and bench player Zvonimir Ivisic contributed with 10 points each, with Ivisic also recording six rebounds and four assists.
The Sooners started strong, bolstered by Brycen Goodine’s effective performance from beyond the arc, where he scored all nine of his points and helped establish a halftime lead of 35-31 for Oklahoma. The action intensified in the second half as Davis made one of his two free throws, briefly giving Arkansas a 42-41 lead with 12:47 left on the clock. A momentum shift occurred as Thiero and Ivisic sank back-to-back 3-pointers, boosting Arkansas to a 50-44 lead with just over ten minutes remaining. However, Oklahoma garnered the advantage once again, as Luke Northweather and Fears were fouled on consecutive 3-point shot attempts, both converting all six free throws, tying the game at 50.
Looking ahead, Oklahoma is set to face off against No. 13 Texas A&M on Tuesday, while Arkansas will take on No. 9 Kentucky on Saturday.
