Oklahoma City – For the first time since 2019 and for the 10^th time in program history, Oklahoma City earned the 2026 Sooner Athletic Conference Men’s Basketball Tournament Championship presented by Athletic Solutions with a 74-67 overtime victory over Langston. The tournament championship game was held at the Abe Lemons Arena in Oklahoma City on Saturday afternoon. 
 
The Stars will earn the second automatic berth from the SAC into the upcoming NAIA National Men’s Basketball Tournament.
 
The two teams played on even terms until the Lions put together an 11-3 run over three minutes mid-way through the half as Orlando Thomas hit a jumper at the 11:44 mark to put Langston ahead 19-9. The Stars battled back and cut the deficit to 30-26 on a Jackson Hopps jumper with 1:17 left in the half. The Lions scored the final four points of the half to take a 34-26 advantage at the break.
 
In the second half, the Stars cut the Langston lead to two points on three occasions during the second half, but Langston was able to maintain the advantage and push the lead out to 58-49 with 4:52 remaining in regulation. The Stars then outscored the Lions 11-2 over that final span to even the game at 60-60 and force the extra session. 
 
In the overtime period, the Stars opened with an 11-2 run that was spurred by Brian Alexander and Jonas Carlisle, as they took a 71-62 lead with 35 seconds remaining. Trey Clark hit a triple for the Lions with 27 seconds left to cut the deficit, but Oklahoma City hit their final three free throws down the stretch to earn the hard-fought win.
 
Alexander paced the Stars with 20 points, five rebounds, and three blocks, while Carlisle added 17 points and seven boards to help Oklahoma City improve to 21-10 on the year. Trey Clarke led the Langston attack with 23 points and nine boards, with Thomas pouring in 17 markers and five rebounds as the Lions fell to 24-7 on the season.
 
Both teams will now wait to hear their names called on Thursday evening as the NAIA will announce the field for their tournament that will begin in two weeks.

2026 SAC Men’s Basketball All-Tournament Team:
Most Outstanding Player – Jonas Carlisle, Oklahoma City
Brian Alexander, Oklahoma City
Trey Clarke, Langston
Orlando Thomas, Langston
Micah Clark, Nelson
Jamari Lawrence, Wayland Baptist