Oklahoma
Pedulla's 'ballsy' heroics push Rebels past Oklahoma
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.
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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.
The Oklahoma Highway Patrol is competing once again in the American Association of State Troopers’ Best Looking Cruiser Contest, this time showcasing the agency’s history alongside its modern fleet.
The entry features OHP’s restored 1937 Ford patrol car paired with a current Chevrolet Tahoe, highlighting nearly nine decades of the agency’s patrol vehicle tradition.
OHP highlights historic patrol car
According to OHP, the contest entry celebrates the agency’s original 1937 Ford patrol car and its connection to the modern Chevrolet Tahoe used by troopers today.
The agency says the iconic black-and-white “dovetail” paint scheme debuted on the 1937 Ford, with the white paint wrapping over the rear wheel wells. OHP says that design became the foundation for the look that continues to represent the agency today.
How voting works
The Best Looking Cruiser Contest is decided by public vote here.
OHP says each device is allowed one vote, and every vote is important as the agency competes against perennial favorites for a chance to earn a spot in the 2027 American Association of State Troopers calendar.
Looking to improve on last year
Oklahoma finished eighth in the nation in last year’s Best Looking Cruiser Contest.
The agency is hoping this year’s entry featuring both its historic 1937 Ford and modern Chevrolet Tahoe will help improve its finish and secure a place in the 2027 calendar.
“As Route 66 celebrates its 100th birthday, we wanted to honor the most iconic highway in America and the Oklahoma Troopers who have patrolled it for generations,” OHP said. “Since 1937, Oklahoma Highway Patrol Troopers have traveled its pavement, assisted stranded motorists, investigated crashes, enforced traffic laws, and answered calls for service along the Mother Road. Route 66 isn’t just a historic highway to us—it’s part of our history.”
In this week’s Your Vote Counts, Oklahoma’s Own Scott Mitchell leads Jason Dunnington and Sen. Paul Rosino in a discussion about new Oklahoma laws, including those addressing data centers. Other topics include inflation and the ongoing impact of the war in Iran.
Looking for the perfect spot to celebrate Independence Day in Oklahoma this year? From massive fireworks displays over Grand Lake to food truck festivals and live music across the OKC metro, communities are pulling out all the stops to celebrate the Declaration of Independence. Grab your lawn chairs, round up the family, and get ready for an unforgettable week of summer fun. Here is your ultimate guide to the best Fourth of July events happening right in your backyard!
Key takeaways
- The bigger picture: Oklahoma communities are going all out for Independence Day in 2026, with celebrations spanning from Norman’s four-day Fourth Fest to major fireworks displays in Edmond, Tulsa, and on Grand Lake — giving families across the state plenty of options close to home.
- More details: Highlights include Liberty Fest in Edmond, one of the largest fireworks displays in the metro area, the Duck Creek Fireworks on Grand Lake featuring a War Bird flyover tribute synchronized to patriotic music, and Tribute to Liberty in Midwest City, which combines live music, a laser show, and fireworks in honor of the Declaration of Independence’s 250th anniversary.
- Why this matters: This year’s celebrations carry extra weight as part of America’s semiquincentennial, with several events — including Tribute to Liberty and the Duck Creek Fireworks — built around honoring both the nation’s founding and the service members who’ve defended it.
- Date: 9:45 p.m. July 1-4
- Location: Reaves Park; 2501 S Jenkins Ave., Norman
This year’s Fourth Fest is bigger than ever before, spanning four days. The city has added additional programming across multiple parks. Before the fireworks, enjoy a wide range of attractions including bouncy houses, local vendors, food trucks, pony rides, and a petting zoo. The fireworks show begins at 9:45 p.m. on July 4.
- Date: 8:30 p.m. July 3
- Location: Scissortail Park, 300 SW 7th St., Oklahoma City
OKCPHIL’s Red, White, and Boom concert is a high-energy celebration that brings the community together for an unforgettable summer evening of music. The Oklahoma City Philharmonic performs a vibrant program of American classics, fan favorites, and patriotic anthems.
- Date: 6-10 p.m. July 3
- Location: Boomer Lake Park; 2310 E Lakeview Road, Stillwater
This Independence Day celebration will include area vendors, food trucks, hometown hospitality, and a fireworks show. Free parking will be available at Stillwater High School’s Pioneer Stadium.
- Date: July 3-4
- Location: Yukon City Park & Chisholm Trail Park, 2200 S Holly Ave., Yukon
Bring the whole family to Freedom Fest in Yukon! Experience a lineup of live outdoor concerts, peruse the food trucks on site, and enjoy the activities for kids.
- Date: 2-10 p.m. July 4
- Location: Buck Thomas Park, 1903 NE 12th St., Moore
Enjoy one of the largest fireworks shows in the state with food trucks, vendors, and activities throughout the day. Admission is free. Fireworks will begin around 9:45 p.m.
- Date: 7-10 p.m. July 4
- Location: Joe B. Barnes Regional Park, 8700 E Reno Ave., Midwest City
Bring your chairs and join Midwest City in its celebration of the 250th anniversary of the Declaration of Independence. Enjoy food trucks, games, The Wise Guys performing live on stage, a huge fireworks display, and a laser show.
- Date: 9:30 p.m. July 4
- Location: University of Central Oklahoma; 100 N University Drive, Edmond
Liberty Fest’s grand finale is one of the largest fireworks displays in the metro area. Bring your entire family to witness the spectacular show. Parking is available in lots on campus.
- Date: July 4
- Location: Grand Lake O’ the Cherokees, 32888 S 4507 Road, No. 8123, Afton
Duck Creek Fireworks is the longest-running tradition on Grand Lake. Keep an eye out for the highly anticipated War Bird flyover, a tribute to the men and women serving overseas. The fireworks, beginning at sunset, will be synchronized to patriotic music.
- Date: July 4
- Location: River West Festival Park, 2100 S Jackson Ave., Tulsa
Celebrate America’s independence at Tulsa’s annual FreedomFest celebration. This celebration includes all-ages entertainment and a variety of activities and tasty concessions. FreedomFest features one of the largest free fireworks displays in Oklahoma.
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