The Oklahoma Sooners women's basketball team made a statement in their NCAA Tournament opener, decisively defeating the No. 13 seed Idaho Vandals 89-59 at the Lloyd Noble Center. As a fourth seed, the Sooners (25-7, 15-2 home) showcased the kind of balance and efficiency that signals a team ready for a deep postseason run.
Despite a tough 112-78 loss to No. 5 Louisiana State in the SEC Tournament quarterfinals, the Sooners used their two-week break to recharge and refine their game.
The result? A high-octane offensive performance that underlined their status as the nation’s No. 3 scoring offense.
The Sooners were firing on all cylinders, shooting a sharp 51% from the field while stifling Idaho to a mere 25%. The Vandals, who entered on an impressive 18-game winning streak, struggled against Oklahoma's size and depth, managing just 14 points in the paint. OU’s defense was relentless, rejecting nine shots and grabbing 43 defensive rebounds, effectively shutting down Idaho’s scoring opportunities.
Senior center Raegan Beers was a force inside, leading the charge with 18 points and 10 rebounds. This marked her 21st double-double of the season, further cementing her position as the national leader among active players in this category.
Freshman guard Aaliyah Chavez added 15 points and five assists, continuing to orchestrate the Sooners’ dynamic offense. Despite her streak of 62 consecutive free throws ending in the first quarter, Chavez’s playmaking and scoring prowess kept the team in rhythm. Junior forward Sahara Williams also delivered with 17 points and 10 rebounds, her eighth double-double of the season, highlighting the athleticism that makes the Sooners a formidable opponent in transition.
What many anticipated to be a tight contest quickly turned into a showcase of OU’s defensive prowess, as they converted missed shots into fast breaks, pulling away comfortably by the end.
Head coach Jennie Baranczyk, now undefeated in first-round games at OU, continues to steer the Sooners with a steady hand. This victory not only marked the team’s 25th win of the season but also their fourth NCAA Tournament triumph in Norman under her leadership, as they aim for a national championship.
Next up, the Sooners face No. 5 seed Michigan State (23-8, 7-3 away) in a second-round clash set for 7 p.m. Sunday on ESPN. The stage is set for another thrilling chapter in Oklahoma's tournament journey.