
In a stunning upset on Saturday, February 1, 2025, the Oklahoma Sooners dominated the No. 24 Vanderbilt Commodores with a decisive 97-67 victory in Norman, Oklahoma. The game was marked by a remarkable second-half performance from the Sooners, who overcame a 13-point deficit to secure the win. ([reuters.com](https://www.reuters.com/sports/basketball/huge-second-half-lifts-oklahoma-upset-no-24-vanderbilt-2025-02-01/?utm_source=chatgpt.com))
Freshman guard Jeremiah Fears led Oklahoma with 21 points, a significant turnaround from his scoreless outing against Texas A&M earlier in the week. Fears was highly efficient, shooting 8-for-12 from the field. He received substantial support from teammates Jalon Moore and Dalton Forsythe, who contributed 19 and 14 points respectively. ([reuters.com](https://www.reuters.com/sports/basketball/huge-second-half-lifts-oklahoma-upset-no-24-vanderbilt-2025-02-01/?utm_source=chatgpt.com))
The game’s momentum shifted dramatically in the second half when the Sooners launched a 23-0 run, transforming a 13-point deficit into a commanding 59-42 lead with 13:24 remaining. During this stretch, Oklahoma showcased exceptional accuracy, hitting their first nine shots of the half, including four three-pointers. Overall, the Sooners shot an impressive 63.2% from the floor and 55% from beyond the arc. ([reuters.com](https://www.reuters.com/sports/basketball/huge-second-half-lifts-oklahoma-upset-no-24-vanderbilt-2025-02-01/?utm_source=chatgpt.com))
Defensively, Oklahoma dominated the boards, outrebounding Vanderbilt 39-24. They also stifled the Commodores’ perimeter shooting, limiting them to just 1-of-12 on three-point attempts in the second half. Despite strong individual performances from Vanderbilt’s Devin McGlockton, who scored a game-high 22 points, and Jason Edwards with 21 points, the Commodores struggled to maintain their early lead and were overwhelmed in the latter part of the game. ([reuters.com](https://www.reuters.com/sports/basketball/huge-second-half-lifts-oklahoma-upset-no-24-vanderbilt-2025-02-01/?utm_source=chatgpt.com))
This victory improves Oklahoma’s record to 16-5 overall and 3-5 in the Southeastern Conference (SEC), while Vanderbilt falls to 16-5 overall and 4-4 in SEC play. The Sooners’ impressive second-half performance underscores their potential as they continue their conference schedule. ([reuters.com](https://www.reuters.com/sports/basketball/huge-second-half-lifts-oklahoma-upset-no-24-vanderbilt-2025-02-01/?utm_source=chatgpt.com))
The game serves as a reminder of the unpredictable nature of college basketball, where momentum can shift rapidly, and underdog teams can deliver standout performances to topple higher-ranked opponents.