Second-Half Surge Propels OU to Victory

^24/RV West Virginia

^21/20 Oklahoma

Stat Comparison
Category	WVU	OU
Points	54	57
FGM-A	21-55	22-58
FG%	.382	.379
3 FGM-A	5-24	3-13
3 FG%	.208	.231
FTM-A	7-10	10-11
FT%	.700	.909
Rebounds	41	33
Assists	12	7
Turnovers	31	21
Blocks	10	1
Steals	8	11

Individual Leaders
Category	WVU	OU
Points	T. Muldrow - 16	P. Little - 23
Rebounds	L. Montgomery - 10	K. Williams - 9
Assists	B. Holmes - 4	Two Players - 3
Steals	B. Holmes - 3	G. Carter - 5
Blocks	L. Montgomery - 5	K. Williams - 1

NORMAN – The No. 21/20 Oklahoma women's basketball team matched its biggest comeback in a Big 12 regular season game in program history to rally and down No. 24/RV West Virginia, 57-54, Wednesday night inside Lloyd Noble Center.

After trailing by as many as 16 points in the first half, the Sooners (14-5, 5-3 Big 12) stormed back with a big third quarter to secure the comeback over the Mountaineers (16-5 overall, 5-3 Big 12) in their first win over a ranked opponent this season. OU also erased a 16-point deficit at Kansas State in 2010.

The Sooners were fueled by a season-high 23 points, all of which came in the second half, from Peyton Little. The redshirt junior made three of her five attempts from behind the arc and grabbed five rebounds for OU.

Junior Gioya Carter also reached double figures, chipping in 12 points for the Sooners and swiping a career-high five steals. Senior Kaylon Williams and sophomore Vionise Pierre-Louis contributed eight points apiece, and Williams tallied a team-high nine rebounds.

OU struggled early in the contest, turning the ball over seven times in the opening frame and shooting just 3 for 12 from the field to trail 18-10 after the first quarter. The Sooners entered halftime down 32-20 but took over the game after the break.

The Sooners used a 24-point third quarter in which they shot 53 percent from the floor to hold a 44-42 advantage entering the final frame. OU scored the first five points of the third quarter to narrow the margin to 32-25 at the nine-minute mark and force a West Virginia timeout.

From there, OU cut the lead to two on several occasions but could not grab the lead until late in the quarter. With 1:47 left in the third period, a Little bucket tied the game at 42-42. The Sooners took the lead for good with 18 seconds left in the third on a Gabbi Ortiz layup.

From there, it was all Oklahoma, which stayed ahead the remainder of the contest.

OU finished the game shooting 37.9 percent (22 of 58) for the game and 42.4 percent in the second half.

The Sooners' defense forced 31 Mountaineer turnovers, turning them into 25 points. It was the most turnovers forced by OU since its game at North Texas last season, and the most West Virginia has given up since 2012 against Georgetown. OU limited WVU to 21 of 55 shooting (38.2 percent) from the field, including an 8 of 27 (29.6 percent) mark in the second half, and 5 for 24 shooting from 3-point range (20.8 percent).

West Virginia was led by Teana Muldrow, who scored 16 points on 6 for 12 shooting and secured eight rebounds. Bria Holmes (12 points), Tynice Martin (10) and Jessica Morton (10) also scored in double figures for the Mountaineers.

The Sooners next play this Saturday when they head to Ames, Iowa, for a Big 12 contest against Iowa State. The game is slated for a 1 p.m. CT start and will air on FSN.

For more information on Oklahoma women's basketball, follow the Sooners on Twitter (@OU_WBBall) or like Oklahoma Sooners Women's Basketball on Facebook.