Sooners Use Late Spark To Run Away From Rebels

Sunday, December 4

Norman

2 PM

University of Oklahoma

7-1,0-0Big 12

Ole Miss

7-2,0-0SEC

Ole Miss

Oklahoma

Sooners Use Late Spark To Run Away From Rebels

December 04, 2022 | Women's Basketball

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By: OU Athletics Communications

NORMAN – In a battle that pitted one of the nation's most prolific offenses vs. one of the best defensive teams in the country, it was a 15-2 run over the final 5:50 of regulation that sparked Oklahoma past Ole Miss, 69-59, in Norman on Sunday afternoon.

The win marked Oklahoma's third of the season over a team that made last year's NCAA Tournament, as the Sooners (7-1) continue their march through non-conference play. Four Sooners scored in double figures, but Oklahoma won the game on the glass, where it outrebounded Ole Miss (7-2) 48-34 in the victory.

"I thought the difference, obviously, was the last five minutes of the game," head coach Jennie Baranczyk said. "When we just go play the way that we can, it's just so much fun. It's not about making big plays or big shots, it's about having fun and being confident. Ole Miss is a great basketball team, and I think they exposed us and gave us some really tough looks. We definitely got better today."

The Sooners, ranked No. 23 in the WBCA Coaches Poll, looked strong early as Ana Llanusa scored five early points to push Oklahoma in front 12-7. The Rebels traded their first punch with the Sooners, responding with a 9-2 run to close the opening quarter with a 16-14 lead. With the game opening up, the Sooners jumped out to a 23-17 lead before the Rebels cut the deficit to just three with 1:38 left in the first half, but a Llanusa 3-pointers and Madi Williams layup helped guide the Sooners into the half with a 34-28 advantage. The two sides traded more blows in the third quarter as Oklahoma kept building a small lead that Ole Miss would close, getting within three 54-51 at the end of the quarter. Mississippi used its best run and final punch to open the fourth as the Rebels sunk the first three buckets of the frame to take a 57-54 lead, its largest of the game. With the game on the line, the Sooners answered with a 15-0 run over the next 4:59 before a late Ole Miss bucket made the difference 10 points as the Sooners had already pulled away from the 69-59 win.

Tot led all scorers with 13 points on 4-of-7 shooting, with five of her points coming in the late game-changing run. Llanusa poured in 12 points, all in the first half, as the redshirt senior guard kept the Sooners in the game during the first half. Madi Williams dominated on both ends of the floor, scoring 10 points paired with eight rebounds, two assists, two steals and a block. Taylor Robertson's first and only 3-pointer of the day broke a 57-57 tie, but the sharpshooting guard finished with five points and three boards. Skylar Vann was critical off the bench, adding 11 points, seven rebounds and a team-high three steals.

The Sooners shot 42.6% against Ole Miss, who entered the contest allowing just 49 points per game, good for the 10th nationally. The Rebels came to Norman as the No. 5 offensive rebounding team in the country, pulling down 18.5 offensive boards per game, but left the arena after getting outrebounded 48-34 by the Sooners, who held Ole Miss to just 11 offensive rebounds.

Oklahoma next takes the floor Dec. 11 at noon when Robert Morris comes to Norman. The game will be available on ESPN+.