East Texas A&M surprises Oklahoma with historic road upset for season opener, adding to Porter Moser’s struggles in Norman
It could be a long season for Porter Moser in Norman.
East Texas A&M stunned Oklahoma on Monday night to open the 2026-27 campaign. The Lions, who controlled most of the game, held on to earn a 68-64 upset victory over the Sooners. It was their first-ever victory over a power conference program in history.
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The Sooners also closed as 28.5-point favorites. The upheaval, according to at ESPNis the second largest in Division I history over the past three decades. Eastern Illinois holds the record there after beating Iowa as a 30.5-point underdog in 2022.
“The only thing I know what to do is apologize to the fans and get better,” Moser said, via Colton Sulley of the Oklahoman. “I apologize to every single person that came. The things that you do in a game like this in basketball that gets you beat, we did… Not good enough, and it’s my fault.”
Oklahoma managed just 25 points in the first half and scored just one field goal in the final four minutes of the first period. The Lions, meanwhile, jumped to 16 points after Mohamed Daikite and Alonzo Dodd made consecutive three-pointers coming out of the break.
Although the Sooners came back down the stretch and Pop Isaacs settled for a two-possession game with 25 seconds left after an and-one layup, that was as close as it got. Tyler Hendricks missed his own 3-point look that would have put them in the lead, then Bo Aldrich sealed the victory with a pair of free throws in the final seconds for the Lions.
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Aldrich led the way with 22 points after shooting 8 of 12 from the field. The Lions also made 11 of 27 from the 3-point line, compared to just 5 of 20 that Oklahoma made from distance. Isaacs led the Sooners with 15 points and Derrion Reid added 14 points. They were the only two Oklahoma players to reach double figures.
The Lions are only in their sixth season of existence this fall. They have never had a winning record and have gone just 13-20 in each of the last two seasons. They were also picked to finish last in the Southland pre-season poll.
Moser, on the other hand, could be in trouble in Norman. He is in his sixth season leading the Sooners this fall. Although he has had some impressive moments in his career, including leading Loyola Chicago to the Final Four in 2018, he began this season with a record of just 95-75 at Oklahoma. They never won an NCAA tournament game under his watch, made the tournament only once, and finished at the bottom of the SEC standings in their two seasons in that league.
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Moser has just one year left on his contract with the Sooners after the 2026-27 season. Oklahoma has a new athletic director, Roger Denny, who now also runs the show. If Moser can’t turn things around quickly and lead the Sooners to the tournament after Monday’s opening loss, it wouldn’t be surprising to see Denny make a change this spring.
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