AUBURN, Ala. (AP) — Aaliyah Chavez led the No. 16 Oklahoma Sooners to a thrilling 72-65 victory over Auburn on Sunday, scoring 18 points. After a recent triumph over No. 2 South Carolina, Oklahoma faced a tough challenge against the unranked Tigers. The game was tight, but the Sooners surged ahead with a strong finish, outscoring Auburn 13-6 in the last few minutes.
Auburn’s A’riel Jackson made a splash with seven quick points in the fourth quarter, and Harissoum Coulibaly’s layup tied the score at 57. The Tigers briefly held momentum, pushing the score to 59-59. However, they struggled in the final stretch, managing only six points afterward.
Sahara Williams and Raegan Beers each contributed 13 points for Oklahoma, while Brooklyn Stewart added 12 off the bench. For Auburn, Jackson shone brightly with 19 points, supported by Mya Petticord and Ja’Mia Harris, who each scored 12, and Coulibaly with 10.
The game saw Oklahoma jump ahead quickly, finishing the first quarter strong at 19-12. Jackson helped the Tigers close the gap in the second quarter, allowing Auburn to briefly lead at 27-25. However, Chavez’s back-to-back three-pointers helped the Sooners regain control, ending the half at 35-30.
Petticord opened the third quarter with an impressive run, but Oklahoma pushed their advantage to 47-38. Auburn closed the gap to 53-48 before the final quarter but couldn’t capture the win.
Looking ahead, the Sooners will take on Texas A&M on Thursday, January 29, at 6 p.m. CT.
This matchup reflects how college basketball continues to surprise fans and analysts alike. Recent data shows that upsets and close games have become a norm in the SEC, keeping teams and fans on their toes. In the last season, nearly 30% of games ended with a single-digit score difference, emphasizing how competitive the league has become.
As fans engage on social media, reactions often reflect the unpredictability of the games. Twitter buzzes with excitement after each match, highlighting thrilling performances and even controversial calls, showing how deeply invested the audience is.
In a league where every game matters, this thrilling showdown is just another chapter in a captivating season. For more insights into college basketball statistics, check out the NCAA official website.
