Oklahoma

Pedulla's 'ballsy' heroics push Rebels past Oklahoma

Published

10 months ago

March 1, 2025

Pedulla’s ‘ballsy’ heroics push Rebels past Oklahoma

OXFORD — Sean Pedulla’s 3-pointer with 19 seconds left gave Ole Miss a huge win over Oklahoma Saturday, snapping a three-game losing streak and ensuring the Rebels no worse than a .500 record in Southeastern Conference play this season.

Ole Miss trailed, 84-82, when Pedulla, an Edmond, Okla., native, stepped into a 3-pointer from the right side.

Oklahoma’s ensuing possession ended in a miss from from Dayton Forsythe with six seconds left.

Matthew Murrell’s free throws with 3.2 seconds left extended Ole Miss’ lead 87-84, and that ended up being the final when Mohamed Wague’s desperation 3-pointer from three-quarters court fell short.

“I was trying to get to the lane,” said Pedulla, who grew up an Oklahoma fan going to games in Norman. “When I came off the ball-screen, Sam (Godwin) did a good job of cutting me off and keeping me in front. At that point, it was just getting a shot off — a game shot that I like to shoot. I did a little in and out a little bit to get him off-balance and get my shot off. I just made a game shot.”

Ole Miss improved to 20-9 overall and 9-7 in the SEC. Oklahoma fell to 17-12 overall and 4-12 in the league.

With the win, the Rebels silenced any doubts regarding the NCAA Tournament, not that they were legitimate prior to Saturday. At this point, however, the Rebels are a lock for the 68-team field and will likely earn a first-round bye in the SEC Tournament later this month in Nashville.

“We’re trying to play our best basketball going into March,” Pedulla said. “Coming off the last two games, we felt like we under-peformed big-time. We needed to get back in the win column.”

driveway,” adding it was a “ballsy” shot because a miss likely would have given Oklahoma a chance to make it a two-possession game.

“It’s March,” Pedulla said. “You have to hit big shots.”

Pedulla led Ole Miss with 26 points, making five of his nine 3-point attempts. Jaemyn Brakefield added 16 points and eight rebounds. Dre Davis added 13 points and Malik Dia and Matthew Murrell had 10 each.

“We had enough guys bring their A-game offensively to where we were able to win a one-possession game against a quality opponent and coach,” Ole Miss coach Chris Beard said.

Forsythe led Oklahoma with 25 points. Duke Miles added 15, Jeremiah Fears 13 and Godwin 12.

RebelGrove.com’s coverage of Ole Miss basketball this season is presented by Window Hero. From window cleaning to pressure washing, gutter cleaning, gutter guards and everything in between, Window Hero has the experience, equipment, and expertise to make your property look and feel brand new. If you’re in north Mississippi, let Window Hero make your home or business’ exterior look amazing. Their experts are fully bonded and insured. Window Hero provides specialized equipment, exclusive cleaning solutions. a satisfaction guarantee and can clean up to four stories on buildings. Window Hero has locations in Oxford, Tupelo, Pontotoc, Holly Springs, New Albany and more. Roby and Susan Allen are dedicated to helping Oxford and all of north Mississippi with their windows, gutters and everything in between. Call Window Hero at 662-510-7077 to get an estimate. Learn more at WindowHero.com.

Ole Miss spent the better part of 30 minutes Saturday searching not only for offensive answers but also for energy.

With 8:19 left in the second half, the Rebels found both.

Brakefield missed a 3-pointer at the end of the shot clock, a desperate shot that caromed hard off the front of the rim. Pedulla cut for the rebound and grabbed it in the paint, near the free throw line.

Pedulla, who transferred to Ole Miss after starting his career at Virginia Tech, was going full-speed and subsequently dribbled the ball off his foot. Before the ball could go out of bounds, giving possession to the Sooners, Pedulla dove for the ball and saved it with a flip to Murrell.

Murrell, Ole Miss’ veteran leader, immediately returned the ball to Pedulla in the corner.

Without hesitation, Pedulla rose for a 3-pointer and hit nothing but the bottom of the net. Suddenly, Ole Miss had some breathing room via a 69-60 lead.

“It was just effort,” Pedulla said, admitting that he heard the crowd react to his save.

“I heard them get rowdy and when I got the ball back, I was like, ‘Well, the crowd’s really going to like this.’”

Oklahoma, to its credit, didn’t roll over. Not at all. Instead, the Sooners, led by Fears and Forsythe, clawed back and took a lead inside the three-minute mark.

Pedulla’s free throw with two minutes left tied the game at 80-80, setting up a wild finish that saw the teams exchange the lead in dramatic fashion.

“Oklahoma came to play,” Pedulla said. “They definitely fought us back in the second half. …Basketball is a game of runs.”

Two Forsythe free throws with 1:12 left gave Oklahoma an 82-80 lead. Brakefield answered with a drive with 53.7 seconds left, tying it at 82-82.

Duke Miles’ drive with 31.7 seconds left gave the Sooners another two-point lead, setting up Pedulla’s heroics.

“He hit a big-time shot,” Oklahoma coach Porter Moser said. “We were trying to switch and make him go downhill and not give up a 3. He kind of shook Sam and made a big-time shot.”

Ole Miss led by as many as 11 points in the first half before Oklahoma clawed back to take a one-point lead. The Rebels headed to intermission up just one.

Ole Miss plays host to Tennessee in the home finale on Wednesday. Tipoff is set for 8 p.m.

Source link

Oklahoma

How to watch Oklahoma-Alabama in the College Football Playoff: TV/streaming info and more

Published

6 hours ago

December 17, 2025

Press Room

How to watch Oklahoma-Alabama in the College Football Playoff: TV/streaming info and more

For the second time this year, we’ll see Oklahoma and Alabama face off in a pivotal showdown.

The Sooners (10-2) will host the Crimson Tide (10-3) for a College Football Playoff showdown Friday at Gaylord Family-Oklahoma Memorial Stadium in Norman, Oklahoma. The last time these teams faced off, Oklahoma came away with a 23-21 win over Alabama on the road.

Will Oklahoma once again topple Alabama? Here’s everything fans should know about Oklahoma-Alabama in the CFP:

How to watch Oklahoma-Alabama in the CFP

When: 7 p.m. Friday, Dec. 19

Where: Gaylord Family-Oklahoma Memorial Stadium (Norman, Oklahoma)

TV: ABC/ESPN Streaming: ESPN app

A prime-time showdown

None of the four first-round College Football Playoff games overlap, but Alabama-Oklahoma really takes center stage.

With the other three games on Saturday, including Texas A&M-Miami, this game is the only one on Friday night and doesn’t overlap with any of Saturday’s NFL action like Tulane-Ole Miss and James Madison-Oregon do.

It shouldn’t be as cold as it has been lately in Norman, Okla., as early forecasts are expecting temperatures in the lower-50s and upper-40s on Friday. Combine that with a 7 p.m. kickoff that gives Oklahoma fans plenty of time to tailgate and get riled up for the game, and “The Palace on the Prairie” should be a sight to behold as it hosts its first CFP game.

Oklahoma-Alabama head-to-head

Oklahoma and Alabama have faced off eight times in the past. The Sooners lead the all-time series 5-2-1. As we mentioned above, Oklahoma won the latest matchup in the 2025 regular season.

Latest stories

— Can Oklahoma beat Alabama again in the CFP? History isn’t on its side

— Five storylines for Oklahoma-Alabama: A shot at revenge, turnover battle and more

— 10 things to know about Oklahoma head coach Brent Venables as Sooners head to CFP

— Brent Venables’ aggressive defense gives Oklahoma different look than past CFP teams

— Final College Football Playoff bracket: See where Texas Tech, A&M and Oklahoma landed

Find more Oklahoma coverage from The Dallas Morning News here.

Source link

Oklahoma

Children’s mental health facility reopens in Northeast Oklahoma

Published

18 hours ago

December 16, 2025

Press Room

Children’s mental health facility reopens in Northeast Oklahoma

Moccasin Bend Ranch, a residential treatment program in Wyandotte, has reopened after a remodel, expanding access to specialized mental health services for children ages 5 to 12. Leaders say the program fills a critical gap in Oklahoma, where options for young children needing higher levels of care remain limited.

A unique approach for younger children

Moccasin Bend Ranch is a 28 bed psychiatric residential treatment facility set on 12 wooded acres. The unlocked campus is designed to give children access to outdoor play and nature, something leaders say is essential for younger patients.

“This setting allows our kids to act like kids,” said Christina Holum, interim chief executive officer at Willow Crest Hospital and Moccasin Bend Ranch. “Watching them play gives us a renewed sense of purpose. We are confident this change will lead to better outcomes and happier, healthier children.”

The ranch focuses exclusively on children, a distinction that sets it apart from many other programs across the state.

Why early treatment matters

Mental health leaders say many children referred to Moccasin Bend Ranch have already tried outpatient therapy and medication management without success. By the time families seek residential care, behaviors are often increasing in both frequency and intensity.

“If outpatient services are not working, families need somewhere to turn,” said Grant Linihan, vice president of business development for Vizion Health, which owns the facility. “If our program was not available, these, kids, where are they going to go to get treated?”

Linihan and Holum say early intervention can help children develop coping skills and emotional regulation before problems follow them into adolescence and adulthood.

Inside the treatment program

Children at Moccasin Bend Ranch receive a full schedule of therapeutic services, including individual therapy, family therapy and group sessions. The program also emphasizes recreational and expressive therapies to help children process trauma and build skills in a developmentally appropriate way.

Staff members work with families to plan for discharge, aiming to ensure continuity of care once a child returns home.

Making the holidays feel normal

For some children, the holiday season can be especially difficult. Leaders say the ranch makes a point to celebrate milestones and traditions, even while children are in treatment.

The facility hosts holiday meals, seasonal activities and visits from community volunteers, including a volunteer Santa. Children are also taken to see nearby holiday light displays.

“We try to get them to reshape their minds,” Linihan said. “Even though you’re with us, this is still going to be a joyous time for you.”

A broader mental health need in Oklahoma

Mental health providers say the need for pediatric services is tied to broader challenges across the state, including limited funding and access to care. They note that untreated mental health issues in childhood can contribute to long term struggles later in life.

“There will always be a need for this type of service for a certain group of children,” Holum said. “If they cannot get help early, their prognosis becomes much worse.”

How families can get help

Families who are concerned about a child’s mental health can contact Willow Crest Hospital or Moccasin Bend Ranch for a free phone intake. Staff members can help parents determine whether residential treatment is appropriate or if outpatient care may still be an option.

Willow Crest Hospital, also operated by Vizion Health, is a 50 bed acute inpatient psychiatric facility in Miami serving adolescents ages 9 to 17. Together, the programs serve families from across Oklahoma, including hundreds of children from Tulsa County each year.

For more information, families can call (918) 542-1836 to speak with an intake specialist. You can also find their website here.

Source link

Oklahoma

Former Oklahoma football coach Bob Stoops announces retirement

Published

1 day ago

December 16, 2025

Press Room

Former Oklahoma football coach Bob Stoops announces retirement

Bob Stoops’ coaching career appears to be over. For real, this time.

The former Oklahoma football coach, who led the Sooners to a national championship in 2000, said Monday he would be retiring from coaching. Stoops had spent the previous three years as coach of the the United Football League’s Arlington Renegades.

“After much thought and reflection, I’ve made the decision to retire from coaching and step away from the game of football,” Stoops said in a statement released by the UFL. “Coaching has been one of the greatest honors of my life, and closing this chapter comes with lots of gratitude. …Thank you for allowing me to be part of this incredible game for so many years.”

Stoops’ first and only head-coaching job at the Division I level came at Oklahoma. He took over ahead of the 1999 season and stayed through 2016. OU went 190-48 overall while only suffering three-or-more defeats in Big 12 play four times. The Sooners’ 2001 Orange Bowl win capped 13-0 season and gave Oklahoma its first national title since 1985.

A native of Youngstown, Ohio, Stoops took over coaching Oklahoma after serving three years as Florida’s defensive coordinator. He retired from job at OU in June 2017, but lasted less than two calendar years as he was drawn to coaching the Dallas Renegades in the XFL.

The league folded in part because of the COVID pandemic before OU called on him again to serve as interim coach for the 2021 Alamo Bowl after Lincoln Riley left to coach Southern California. After that, he rejoind the Renegades, now rebranded as the Arlington Renegades in the UFL.

Source link