Oklahoma Tops Georgia 94-78 After Fire Delay

A popcorn machine fire briefly delayed an SEC men's basketball game between the Oklahoma Sooners and Georgia Bulldogs early Saturday at Lloyd Noble Center in Norman, Oklahoma, but the Sooners overcame the interruption to secure a 94-78 victory.

The incident occurred with 15:31 remaining in the first half, as Georgia held an 11-7 lead. Flames erupted from a concession stand on the arena's concourse, prompting arena staff to evacuate fans from nearby sections. The venue's sprinkler system activated quickly, extinguishing the fire and preventing it from spreading further. Play paused for about five minutes while staff cleared the area and ensured safety, according to officials and eyewitness accounts. Video footage captured the chaotic scene, with smoke filling the concourse as spectators moved away from the burning machine.

Once the game resumed, Oklahoma mounted a strong comeback. The Sooners trailed 43-41 at halftime but dominated the second half, outscoring Georgia 53-35. Forward Tae Davis led the team with 19 points on 7-of-10 shooting, while guards Nijel Pack and reserve Kuol Atak each added 18 points. Pack contributed six rebounds and three assists, and Atak shot 6-of-7 from...