Sooner Magic Strikes, Sooners Win Bedlam

Saturday, January 21

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University of Oklahoma

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Sooner Magic Strikes, Sooners Win Bedlam

January 21, 2023 | Women's Basketball

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By: OU Athletics Communications

NORMAN – It took a dash of Sooner Magic, but when the clock hit zero at Lloyd Noble Center on Saturday, No. 15 Oklahoma had overcome a 12-point deficit to hold off Oklahoma State, 97-93, and claim the first round of Bedlam.

The win kept Oklahoma (16-2, 6-1) alone atop the Big 12 standings as the league approaches the halfway point of conference play. Madi Williams posted 26 points, 17 of which came in the second half, as the redshirt senior dominated on both ends of the floor.

The Sooners were strong in the first quarter, holding the Cowgirls to 29% shooting in the frame to claim a four-point lead after one. Skylar Vann scored early and often, pouring in five of Oklahoma's 19 first-frame points. However, things got away from OU in the second quarter, as the Cowgirls (13-6, 3-4) closed the half on a 12-1 run to post an eight-point halftime lead as the Sooners trailed at the break for the sixth time in their last seven games.

The Pokes scored the second half's first two baskets to push their lead to a game-high 12 points at 52-40, but then the Sooners' used one of their patented runs to get back in the game. Madi Williams scored eight of her 13 third-quarter points to power the Sooners to a 15-5 run and cut the deficit to two. However, the Cowgirls responded with a run of their own to take a 72-68 lead into the fourth quarter. It was a 13-5 Oklahoma run over four minutes of play that finally pushed the Crimson and Cream in front as the in-state foes started to trade blows in Bedlam. Oklahoma's lead grew to six before OSU cut it to just two, before clutch free throws from Taylor Robertson and Nevaeh Tot iced the game, thwarting Oklahoma State's comeback attempt to secure the 97-93 win.

Oklahoma shot a blistering 58% (7-of-12) from deep in the second half and fired the 3-ball at a 47% clip in the night. On the other end, OU held the Cowgirls in check from behind the arc in the second half, allowing just five makes out of their 19 attempts. Doubling their opponent in the assist column, Oklahoma posted 18 dimes to just 12 turnovers. The Sooners lost the rebounding battle for the first time since November 16, snapping a 14-game streak, as the Pokes grabbed three more board to outrebound OU 39-36.

The win marked the 10th double-digit comeback of the Baranczyk era and was the third straight victory over Oklahoma State. The crowd of 9,580 marked the largest at an Oklahoma women's basketball home game since Bedlam in 2013.

Williams' 26 points matched OSU's Anna Gret Asi for a game-high, but the Sooner added four rebounds and three assists in the winning effort. Ana Llanusa became the 14th all-time Sooner to cross the 1,500-point mark in their career after adding 17 points on a 6-of-12 shooting night. Taylor Robertson buried two late-game 3-pointers, finishing with 15 points and five rebounds, and now sits three 3-pointers away from breaking the NCAA all-time 3-pointer record of 497.

A tough test for the Sooners awaits, as the Crimson and Cream travel to Austin, Texas, for a rivalry game vs. No. 25 Texas (13-6, 4-2) on Wednesday night. The game will air on Longhorn Network and is scheduled to start at 7 p.m.