Oklahoma made a statement in the College Basketball Crown at the T-Mobile Arena, outlasting Baylor 82-69. The Sooners controlled much of the first half, building a commanding 15-point lead and holding a 45-35 halftime advantage. But the Bears refused to go quietly—Baylor stormed back with an 11-1 run in the second half to knot things at 48-48 and force a tightly contested final stretch. Oklahoma answered when it mattered most, unleashing an 11-2 run that pushed their lead to 74-63 with the tournament bid on the line. Despite Baylor's fight and six lead changes throughout, the Sooners' experience in crunch time proved the difference. Oklahoma closed it out to advance, while the Bears' comeback attempt fell just short.