Tennessee's Gillespie sets school record with 8 steals in rout of Oklahoma

Ja'Kobi Gillespie's all-around performance fuels Volunteers' 89-66 victory

Published on Feb. 24, 2026

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Ja'Kobi Gillespie scored 16 points, set a school record with eight steals, and added eight assists to lead Tennessee to an 89-66 rout of Oklahoma. The Volunteers capitalized on 15 Oklahoma turnovers, outscoring the Sooners 31-7 in points off turnovers. Nate Ament scored a game-high 29 points for Tennessee, which won its third straight game.

Why it matters

Tennessee's dominant defensive performance, led by Gillespie's record-setting night, showcases the Volunteers' ability to turn opponent turnovers into scoring opportunities and control the tempo of the game. This win keeps Tennessee in the hunt for a strong finish to the regular season in the competitive SEC.

The details

Gillespie's eight steals set a new Tennessee single-game record, sparking the Volunteers' stifling defense that forced 15 Oklahoma turnovers. The Volunteers capitalized on those miscues, outscoring the Sooners 31-7 in points off turnovers. Nate Ament led all scorers with 29 points, while Felix Okpara added 18 points, seven rebounds, and two blocks for Tennessee.

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

The players

Ja'Kobi Gillespie

A Tennessee guard who set a school record with eight steals and added 16 points and eight assists in the win.

Nate Ament

The leading scorer for Tennessee, pouring in a game-high 29 points to go with six rebounds.

Felix Okpara

A Tennessee forward who contributed 18 points, seven rebounds, and two blocks.

Nijel Pack

The leading scorer for Oklahoma, tallying 20 points in the loss.

J.P. Estrella

A Tennessee starting forward who did not dress for the game.

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What they’re saying

“Ja'Kobi Gillespie's all-around performance was the key to our dominant win tonight. His defense set the tone and allowed us to capitalize on their mistakes.”

— Rick Barnes, Tennessee Head Coach (Field Level Media)

What’s next

Tennessee will look to continue its strong play when it hosts Vanderbilt on Saturday, February 22nd.

The takeaway

Tennessee's stifling defense, led by Ja'Kobi Gillespie's record-setting night, propelled the Volunteers to a convincing victory over Oklahoma. The Volunteers' ability to force turnovers and convert them into points showcases their potential to make a deep run in the SEC and NCAA tournaments.