LAS VEGAS (Interstat) — In a neutral-site clash that doubled as a season-defining moment for both programs, the Oklahoma Sooners used a dominant first-half offensive display and a balanced scoring attack to secure an 82-69 victory over the Baylor Bears at T-Mobile Arena on Saturday, April 4, 2026.

The win elevated Oklahoma to a 21-14 overall record, securing a winning season, while Baylor concluded its campaign at an even 17-17. A crowd of 2,947 watched as the Sooners, favored by a single point, controlled the tempo for the majority of the contest, ultimately cashing in on their 66% pregame win probability according to Interstat’s ELO system.

The most important part of the game was Oklahoma’s immediate and sustained offensive pressure in the opening period, which built a cushion Baylor could never fully erase. The Sooners raced out to a double-digit lead in the first half, fueled by efficient ball movement and a trio of high-scoring performances. They took a 45-35 lead into halftime, shooting effectively from the field while limiting Baylor’s opportunities in transition.

Oklahoma guard Xzayvier Brown, a 6-foot-2 sophomore from Philadelphia, spearheaded the effort with a game-high 21 points, adding six assists and showcasing his two-way impact with multiple steals and defensive rebounds. His backcourt partner, 5-foot-10 senior Nijel Pack of Indianapolis, provided crucial perimeter scoring and playmaking, finishing with 15 points and four assists.

The Sooners’ frontcourt proved equally formidable. Forward Derrion Reid, a 6-foot-8 force from Grovetown, Georgia, contributed 17 points, often finishing powerfully at the rim, while 6-foot-9 forward Tae Davis of Indianapolis was a relentless presence inside, tallying 18 points, three assists and a key block. Their combined efforts inside negated Baylor’s attempts to establish a consistent interior defense.

Baylor, which struggled to find an offensive rhythm against Oklahoma’s defensive intensity, was led by the energetic play of Tounde Yessoufou. The 6-foot-5 sophomore from Cotonou, Benin, recorded 15 points and three blocks, using his athleticism to challenge shots and create second chances. Guards Isaac Williams of Oklahoma City and Cameron Carr of Eden Prairie, Minnesota, each added 15 points, with Carr also distributing four assists. Dan Skillings provided a spark off the bench with 12 points.

Despite the deficit, the Bears showed resilience in the second half. A quick 5-0 burst to open the period, capped by an Isaac Williams three-pointer, cut the Oklahoma lead to seven and forced an early Sooners timeout. Baylor continued to chip away, with Carr hitting a three-pointer at the 15:27 mark to bring the score to 48-45, marking the closest the Bears had been since the game’s opening minutes and prompting another Oklahoma stoppage.

That sequence represented Baylor’s best chance at a comeback. Oklahoma responded with the poise of a team that has navigated several close games this season, including recent overtime victories over Colorado and Texas. Out of the timeout, the Sooners immediately executed, with Pack answering Carr’s three with one of his own on the ensuing possession. This ignited a decisive 12-4 run over the next four minutes, re-establishing a double-digit lead that would not fall below nine points for the remainder of the game.

Oklahoma’s defense tightened during this critical stretch, forcing Baylor into contested shots and a handful of turnovers. The Bears shot poorly from three-point range overall, a factor that hampered their ability to mount a sustained rally. Every time Baylor threatened, Oklahoma had an answer, often from Brown or Davis, who consistently found seams in the Baylor defense for timely baskets or drew fouls.

The game’s total points, 151, fell well under the posted over/under line of 157.5, a testament to the defensive stretches from both teams in the second half as Oklahoma focused on protecting its lead and Baylor fought to extend possessions.

In the end, Oklahoma’s early offensive explosion and its composed response to Baylor’s second-half push proved the difference. The Sooners’ core of Brown, Pack, Reid and Davis provided too much firepower and versatility for the Bears to contain, allowing Oklahoma to close its season with a convincing victory in the desert.