Scott's Big Night Fuels Comeback Win Over No. 23 Kansas

Saturday, January 14

Norman

2 PM

University of Oklahoma

14-2,4-1Big 12

Kansas

12-4,2-3Big 12

Kansas

Oklahoma

Photo by: Ty Russell

Scott's Big Night Fuels Comeback Win Over No. 23 Kansas

January 14, 2023 | Women's Basketball

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By: OU Athletics Communications

NORMAN – Liz Scott posted a double-double, Madi Williams had 20 points and No. 19 Oklahoma erased a 12-point deficit to knock off No. 23 Kansas, 80-74, in Norman on Saturday afternoon.

Powered by a crowd of over 8,400, the largest at an OU home game since 2017, the Sooners (14-2, 4-1) completed their ninth double-digit comeback in the last two seasons under head coach Jennie Baranczyk, including their third vs. the Jayhawks (12-4, 2-3 Big 12) in that time span.

"Honestly I thought that was a really good win," Baranczyk said. "Obviously there are so many things that we want to do better with the way we started, but then we stayed together and that's huge. I thought we came out really strong in the second half. What a great crowd tonight, too. They were ready to go from the jump and got behind us when we needed them to."

The shots weren't falling for Oklahoma early in the contest, as the nation's sixth-best offense shot 22% and mustered just 15 points in the first quarter as Kansas took a 24-15 lead in the second. But things began to turn in the second frame as the Sooner defense locked in, holding the Jayhawks to just three made field goals in the quarter to cut the halftime deficit to seven points. Baranczyk's team found its shot in the second half, shooting 50% (4-of-8) from deep in the third quarter as the Sooners jumped in front late in the period before KU tied it at 54 after three. It was a dominant fourth quarter for Oklahoma, who shot 56% in the frame compared to Kansas' 38%, and the Sooners grew their lead to double digits before a late Jayhawk run made it close before the buzzer sounded. Taylor Robertson, Nevaeh Tot and Williams went a perfect 4-of-4 from the free throw line in the final minute to secure the 80-74 win.

The Crimson and Cream outrebounded their opponent for the 12th straight game, dominating the larger Kansas team 57-44 on the glass, partly due to 22 offensive boards. In a strong three-quarter defensive performance, OU held the Jayhawks to just 14 field goals after surrendering 11 made buckets in the first quarter. Anchored by 21 assists, the Oklahoma offense scored 15 fast break points, more than double Kansas' seven.

Liz Scott posted her third career double-double with 10 points and a career-high 15 rebounds, as well as a career-best four assists. Madi Williams reached 20 points for the first time in 2023, making eight of her 19 shots to go with nine rebounds and a steal. Ana Llanusa's streak of 20-point games ended Saturday, but the guard poured in 12 points with five rebounds and two assists in the winning effort. Taylor Robertson buried a pair of 3-pointers in a 10-point performance and now is just six treys away from tying Kelsey Mitchell's all-time NCAA 3-point record of 497. Nevaeh Tot posted her most complete game of the season, scoring eight points with seven rebounds, seven assists and just one turnover.

"Liz was phenomenal today," Baranczyk added. "I'm so proud of her. She provided incredible energy for us and was huge for us all game long."

The win was the sixth over a top-25 opponent under Baranczyk and the second of the season. Through five games of Big 12 play, the Sooners (4-1 Big 12) sit atop the standings with two games remaining in the league this weekend.

Next, Oklahoma travels to Fort Worth, Texas, Wednesday for a matchup with TCU (6-10, 0-5 Big 12) at 6:30 p.m. on ESPN+.