OU Holds Off IUPUI, Advances in Big Dance

Saturday, March 19

9 PM

University of Oklahoma

25-8,12-6Big 12

IUPUI

24-5,18-2Horizon

IUPUI

Oklahoma

Photo by: Ty Russell

OU Holds Off IUPUI, Advances in Big Dance

March 20, 2022 | Women's Basketball

Box Score Box Score Highlights Photos Bracket vs. (5) Notre Dame on Monday at 5 PM

By: OU Athletics Communications

NORMAN – Powered by Madi Williams and Taylor Robertson, who both scored 20-plus points, No. 4-seed Oklahoma advanced into the second round of the NCAA Tournament by holding off 13th-seeded IUPUI, 78-72 in Norman on Saturday night. The win marked Oklahoma's first win in the NCAA Tournament since 2017.

In front of a raucous crowd, the Sooners (25-8, 12-6) battled with the Horizon League champions all night, even opening a 14-point lead in the third quarter. But IUPUI (24-7, 18-4) nearly fought all the way back, cutting the OU lead to four before the Sooners iced it at the free throw line to win and hold off the late comeback attempt.

"How about our fans? It was amazing," head coach Jennie Baranczyk said. "I mean, 9:00 at night, I just couldn't be prouder to be at Oklahoma with everybody's support. It was phenomenal to be able to see that and feel that energy tonight. What an awesome way to host our first NCAA Tournament game."

Taylor Robertson exploded for a season-high 17 points in the second half and finished with a game-high 22 with four 3-pointers and an 8-of-9 night from the free throw line. The AP All-America honorable mention added four blocks, four rebounds and matched a career-high with two blocks in the win. Saturday marked her 116th career start, all consecutive, to move into 10th all-time at OU in games started. Senior Madi Williams carried the load in the first half, pouring in 10 points in the first 20 minutes and closing the night with 21 points on an efficient 9-of-14 shooting clip and grabbing six rebounds in just 28 minutes.

Skylar Vann added 13 points and five rebounds off the bench as the Big 12 Sixth Player of the Year continues to bring a spark to the floor. Sophomore point guard Nevaeh Tot added 10 points, hitting double-digits for the seventh time this season. The 5-2 guard also led the Sooners with eight rebounds, matching her career best.

The Sooners dished out 16 assists and turned the ball over a season-low 10 times to hold off IUPUI's late charge. Baranczyk's team shot 43% (27-63) and made eight of its 23 3-point attempts. Oklahoma improved to 21-2 on the year when holding opponents under 80 points, holding the Jaguars to 72 points on 36% shooting from the field. In a battle of stout 3-point defenses, the Sooners won the fight by holding IUPUI to just 7-of-33 (21%) from behind the arc.

Oklahoma, appearing in its 22nd NCAA Tournament all-time and 20th since 2000, notched its first win in the Big Dance since 2017 and improved to 34-21 all-time in the tournament. It's the first career win in the NCAA Tournament for Baranczyk, who took Drake to the tournament three times in her tenure in Des Moines.

The Sooners will take on No. 5-seeded Notre Dame (23-8, 12-5) in the second round Monday for a spot in the Sweet 16. Tip is slated for 5 p.m. CT on ESPN2. If Oklahoma wins, it will punch its ticket into the second weekend for the first time since 2013.