Sooners Release Non-Conference Slate

NORMAN – University of Oklahoma head women's basketball coach Jennie Baranczyk announced the Sooners' 2021-22 non-conference schedule Friday, completing the Sooners' slate for the upcoming season.

The schedule is highlighted by an appearance at the Bad Boy Mowers Battle 4 Atlantis in the Bahamas and a marquee matchup in the Big 12/SEC Challenge.

"We're excited about our upcoming schedule and know that it will bring out the best version of our team," Baranczyk said. "The opportunity to play against some of the nation's best teams will set us up for success as we gear up for conference play."

The campaign will open with an exhibition game vs. Rogers State at Lloyd Noble Center Oct. 30.

In a rematch of last year's contest in Norman, the Sooners open their official season on the road Nov. 9 at South Dakota in Vermillion, S.D. Oklahoma held off a second-half charge last season from the Coyotes to earn its second win of the year.

OU returns to Norman for its home opener, slated for Nov. 12 vs. Arkansas State at Lloyd Noble Center. Then, Baranczyk's team stays home for a Nov. 16 contest vs. Central Arkansas before getting back on the road.

Up next for the Sooners is a trip to Paradise Island, Bahamas, for the inaugural Bad Boy Mowers Battle 4 Atlantis, where OU will play three games Nov. 20-22 against some of the nation's best teams. Oklahoma opens the tournament on Nov. 20 vs. Oregon, ranked 10th by ESPN earlier in the summer. Following that game, the Sooners await either 2021 national semifinalist South Carolina or Buffalo on Nov. 21. The Sooners' third-round opponent will be UConn, Minnesota, South Florida or Syracuse.

The road trip continues following Thanksgiving when Oklahoma heads to Dallas to take on SMU at Moody Coliseum on Nov. 30.

Following the matchup with the Mustangs, OU will close its non-conference schedule with a five-game homestand.

The Big 12/SEC Challenge returns to Norman in 2021 as the Sooners welcome Mississippi State to Lloyd Noble Center on Dec. 4. Oklahoma is 1-0 all-time vs. the Bulldogs, defeating them 88-73 in Cancun during the 2007-08 season.

The home slate continues Dec. 7 with Eastern Michigan, followed by a Dec. 10 contest with 2021 NCAA Tournament participant BYU. Then, following an 11-day break, the Sooners return to the court Dec. 21 when they host Utah and then close the 2021 calendar year on Dec. 29 vs. Wichita State.

Big 12 play opens Jan. 2 at Texas Tech and features a double-round robin format for the 10th consecutive season, with the Big 12 Championship returning to Municipal Auditorium in Kansas City, Mo., March 10-13.

"We can't wait to welcome our OU Basketball family back to Lloyd Noble Center this season," Baranczyk added. "We've packed our schedule with exciting matchups and we can't wait to see Sooner Nation inside the arena."

OU welcomes back eight players this season, including four starters from the 2020-21 team. Baranczyk's team's depth runs deep from the starting five into the bench, as the 14-player roster has combined for 421 games played in the Crimson and Cream. All-Big 12 honorees Ana Llanusa, Taylor Robertson and Madi Williams will look to guide the Sooners to their 20th NCAA Tournament since 2000.

Baranczyk was named the ninth head coach in OU women's basketball history in April. The Urbandale, Iowa, product led Drake to three NCAA Tournament appearances from 2017-19 and registered six consecutive 20-win seasons from 2014-20.

Tip-off times and broadcast information will be announced at a later date.

Women's basketball season tickets offer reserved seating in the lower arena and general admission areas in the upper arena. Seats start at $180 and $120, respectively, and can be purchased online at SoonerSports.com/buytickets or by calling the OU Athletics Ticket Office at (405) 325-2424.

Discounted season tickets are offered for senior citizens (55 and older) and youth (ages 6 through 18). In addition, OU students gain free admission to all women's basketball games with their school ID.

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

2021-22 OU Women's Basketball Schedule
Date	Opponent	Site
Oct. 30	Rogers State*	Lloyd Noble Center
Nov. 9	at South Dakota	Vermillion, S.D.
Nov. 12	Arkansas State	Lloyd Noble Center
Nov. 16	Central Arkansas	Lloyd Noble Center
Nov. 20	Oregon#	Paradise Island, Bahamas
Nov. 21	South Carolina/Buffalo#	Paradise Island, Bahamas
Nov. 22	TBD#	Paradise Island, Bahamas
Nov. 30	at SMU	Dallas, Texas
Dec. 4	Mississippi State^	Lloyd Noble Center
Dec. 7	Eastern Michigan	Lloyd Noble Center
Dec. 10	BYU	Lloyd Noble Center
Dec. 21	Utah	Lloyd Noble Center
Dec. 29	Wichita State	Lloyd Noble Center
Jan. 2	at Texas Tech	Lubbock, Texas
Jan. 5	Iowa State	Lloyd Noble Center
Jan. 8	at Kansas	Lawrence, Kan.
Jan. 12	Baylor	Lloyd Noble Center
Jan. 15	TCU	Lloyd Noble Center
Jan. 19	at West Virginia	Morgantown, W.Va.
Jan. 22	at Kansas State	Manhattan, Kan.
Jan. 26	Oklahoma State	Lloyd Noble Center
Jan. 29	Texas	Lloyd Noble Center
Feb. 2	at Baylor	Waco, Texas
Feb. 5	West Virginia	Lloyd Noble Center
Feb. 12	at Texas	Austin, Texas
Feb. 16	Texas Tech	Lloyd Noble Center
Feb. 19	at Iowa State	Ames, Iowa
Feb. 23	at TCU	Fort Worth, Texas
Feb. 26	Kansas State	Lloyd Noble Center
March 2	at Oklahoma State	Stillwater, Okla.
March 5	Kansas	Lloyd Noble Center
March 10-13	Phillips 66 Big 12 Championship	Kansas City, Mo.