Las Vegas Lights: Pack Leads Oklahoma Past Colorado in Overtime Thriller
Las Vegas Lights: Pack Leads Oklahoma Past Colorado in Overtime Thriller
In a contest that defined the high-stakes drama of the inaugural College Basketball Crown, the Oklahoma Sooners outlasted the Colorado Buffaloes in a 90-86 overtime marathon at the MGM Grand Garden Arena. The quarterfinal matchup, which marked the 138th meeting between these historic rivals, lived up to every bit of the hype as the lead swung like a pendulum throughout the final minutes of regulation and the extra period. Ultimately, it was the veteran poise of Nijel Pack that secured Oklahoma’s passage to the semifinals, as he took over when the lights were brightest in Las Vegas.
Pack, the Miami transfer who has become the heartbeat of Porter Moser’s offense, finished with a team-high 20 points, including six critical points in the overtime session. His ability to navigate the Buffaloes’ perimeter defense and hit contested jumpers proved to be the difference-maker. Alongside him, Tae Davis provided a consistent scoring punch with 19 points, while Xzayvier Brown added 17, showcasing the depth of a Sooners roster that has found its rhythm at exactly the right time.
Barrington Hargress’ Heroic Effort Falls Short
The story of the night for Colorado was the sheer dominance of Barrington Hargress. The Buffaloes' standout guard put the team on his back, erupting for a season-high 31 points. Despite Colorado being short-handed—missing three of their top four scorers from the regular season—Hargress nearly willed them to victory. His driving layup with just 1.6 seconds remaining in regulation tied the game at 74-74, capping a 7-0 run that stunned the Oklahoma bench and sent the Vegas crowd into a frenzy.
Support for Hargress came from Alon Michaeli, who recorded 18 points and six rebounds, and Felix Kossaras, who added 14. However, the Buffaloes’ lack of depth eventually showed in the overtime period. While they fought valiantly on the glass and forced Oklahoma into 11 turnovers, they couldn’t quite match the Sooners' efficiency from the charity stripe during the closing moments. Colorado finished 33-of-39 from the free-throw line, but a missed attempt by Hargress late in OT proved costly in the four-point loss.
Turning the Tide: The Second-Half Surge
Oklahoma’s path to victory wasn't always clear. They started the game ice-cold, missing seven of their first eight shots from beyond the arc. Colorado took advantage, building a 41-31 lead late in the first half behind a barrage of baskets from Kossaras. It took a flurry of activity from Kuol Atak and Xzayvier Brown just before the break to cut the deficit to four, shifting the momentum heading into the locker room.
In the second half, the Sooners tightened their defensive rotations. Mohamed Wague, the bruising 6-foot-10 center, was instrumental in anchoring the paint, recording three steals and two blocks while making life difficult for Colorado's slashers. This defensive intensity allowed Oklahoma to build a seven-point lead with under two minutes to play, setting the stage for the dramatic conclusion.
What’s Next for the Sooners?
With this victory, Oklahoma moves to 20-15 on the season and prepares for a semifinal clash against Baylor on Saturday. Coach Porter Moser praised his team's resilience, noting that winning games in April requires a level of mental toughness that this group is starting to embrace. "We knew Colorado wouldn't go away," Moser said. "But our guys stayed connected. Nijel made the plays a senior is supposed to make, and we lived to fight another day."
For Colorado (17-16), the loss marks the end of a transitional season under Tad Boyle. While the exit is painful, the emergence of Hargress as a premier scorer in the Big 12 provides a silver lining for a program looking to rebuild its core for 2027. For now, the spotlight remains on the Sooners as they look to crown themselves in the desert.
