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Oklahoma Sooners Struggle Against Tennessee Volunteers as Nijel Pack Shines at Thompson-Boling Arena

First Half


The Oklahoma Sooners faced a challenging matchup against the Tennessee Volunteers at Thompson-Boling Arena. The game began with the Vols taking an early lead, showcasing their offensive prowess with 45 points in the first half. The Sooners managed to put up 36 points, with Nijel Pack leading the charge by scoring efficiently and contributing significantly to Oklahoma's offense. Despite his efforts, the team struggled to keep pace with Tennessee's dynamic play.


Feb 18, 2026; Knoxville, Tennessee, USA;  Tennessee Volunteers forward Jaylen Carey (23) goes to the basket against Oklahoma Sooners forward Tae Davis (13) during the first half at Thompson-Boling Arena at Food City Center. Mandatory Credit: Randy Sartin-Imagn Images

Second Half


As the second half unfolded, the Volunteers continued their dominant performance by adding another 44 points to their tally. The Sooners attempted a comeback but were hindered by turnovers and missed opportunities on both ends of the court. Derrion Reid added valuable contributions for Oklahoma, scoring in double digits and grabbing key rebounds. However, it was not enough to close the gap as Tennessee maintained control throughout.


Key Performances


Nijel Pack stood out for Oklahoma with an impressive shooting display, converting 78 percent of his field goal attempts and hitting four out of five three-pointers. His performance was a bright spot in an otherwise tough outing for the Sooners. On defense, Mohamed Wague contributed with blocks that momentarily stalled Tennessee's momentum.


Feb 18, 2026; Knoxville, Tennessee, USA;  Tennessee Volunteers center Felix Okpara (34) dunks the ball against the Oklahoma Sooners during the first half at Thompson-Boling Arena at Food City Center. Mandatory Credit: Randy Sartin-Imagn Images

In contrast, Tennessee capitalized on fast breaks and second-chance points while maintaining a strong defensive presence that resulted in multiple steals and blocks against Oklahoma.


Final Outcome


The game concluded with a final score of 89-66 in favor of Tennessee Volunteers over Oklahoma Sooners. This result leaves Oklahoma at a record of 0-1-0 while boosting Tennessee’s standing at 1-0-0.


Feb 18, 2026; Knoxville, Tennessee, USA;  Oklahoma Sooners guard Nijel Pack (9) moves the ball against the Tennessee Volunteers during the second half at Thompson-Boling Arena at Food City Center. Mandatory Credit: Randy Sartin-Imagn Images

Looking ahead, fans can catch the next game featuring Oklahoma when they host Texas A&M Aggies on February 21st at Lloyd Noble Center in Norman at 8:30 PM EST on SEC Network.


For more insights into this matchup or future games involving these teams, stay tuned for further updates! Share this article if you found it informative!

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