Oklahoma's Win Streak Snapped in Loss to Tennessee

Turnovers and a second-half run by the Volunteers proved too much for the Sooners

Published on Feb. 23, 2026

Got story updates? Submit your updates here. ›

Oklahoma's two-game winning streak came to an end Wednesday night with an 89-66 road loss at Tennessee. The Sooners committed 14 turnovers, leading to 18 points for the Volunteers, as Tennessee pulled away in the second half.

Why it matters

The loss drops Oklahoma to 13-13 overall and 3-10 in SEC play, making it increasingly difficult for the Sooners to make a late-season push for the NCAA Tournament. Tennessee, on the other hand, solidified its standing as a top team in the conference.

The details

Oklahoma kept the game close in the first half, trailing 45-36 at the break, but Tennessee quickly stretched the lead to 18 points early in the second half. The Sooners made a push to get within nine points, but the Volunteers responded with another run to put the game out of reach. Nijel Pack led Oklahoma with 20 points, while Nate Ament scored 29 for Tennessee.

  • The game was played on Wednesday, February 19, 2026.

The players

Nijel Pack

Oklahoma's leading scorer, who had 20 points in the loss.

Nate Ament

Tennessee's leading scorer, who had 29 points and 6 rebounds.

Got photos? Submit your photos here. ›

What’s next

Oklahoma will host Texas A&M on Saturday, February 22, 2026, when the school will retire Buddy Hield's jersey and honor the 2016 Final Four team.

The takeaway

This loss is a setback for Oklahoma's NCAA Tournament hopes, as the Sooners now have a 13-13 overall record and a 3-10 mark in SEC play. The team will need to regroup quickly and find a way to win some key games down the stretch to keep its postseason aspirations alive.