OU Returns to Norman on Friday to Host Grambling

NORMAN – Oklahoma women's basketball will look to get back in the win column on Friday when it hosts Grambling State (3-3) at the Lloyd Noble Center in Norman. The Sooners (5-2) are receiving votes in both the AP and WBCA Coaches polls and a win on Friday would snap a two-game skid.

Friday's contest tips at 6 p.m. on ESPN+ with Chad McKee and Latricia Trammell on the call. The Sooners host their annual Retro Night on Friday and fans are encouraged to wear throwback Sooners gear while enjoy retro OU elements on the big screens in the arena. The first 500 fans will receive an exclusive Top Daug spinner hat.

Tomorrow night's game is the first of four home games in December as OU hosts undefeated (RV) UNLV on Dec. 9, Southern on Dec. 22 and UCF in the Big 12 opener on Dec. 30. Tickets to games vs. Southern and UCF can be purchased for $2 using this link.

Doors to the arena open one hour before tip and the Lloyd Noble Center's clear-bag policy is in effect. Tickets for Friday are still available for purchase for $5.

THE STARTING FIVE

OU's 2023-24 season marks the 50th in program history as Oklahoma launched its women's basketball program in the 1974-75 year. Since its inception, Oklahoma has won a total of 12 conference championships and appeared in three Final Fours. The Sooners 23 appearances in the NCAA Tournament are second most in the Big 12 and 23rd most in the country.
Oklahoma has won four in a row at home dating back to last season and has been victorious in 10 of its last 11 at Lloyd Noble Center. In the Baranczyk era, OU is 30-6 in Norman, highlighted by a perfect 16-0 record in non-NCAA tournament non-conference home games. The Sooners have only dropped two games to unranked teams overall in Norman and have won 17 straight at the LNC vs. teams outside the top 25.
For the second season in a row, Oklahoma is among the nation's best on the glass. The Sooners grab 47.86 rebounds per game, which lead the Big 12 and rank seventh nationally. Powering the Oklahoma attack on the boards is a Big 12-best 32.3 defensive rebounds per game and over 15 offensive boards a night. Five different Sooners grab 4.0 rebounds or more per game as the team is led by Sahara Williams and Skylar Vann's 6.6 rebounds per game.
A win on Friday would improve Baranczyk's record vs. non-conference opponents to 30-5 as the OU head coach and 16-0 at home vs. non-conference opponents in non-NCAA Tournament games.
The Sooners fell out of the latest AP poll after rising to No. 22 in last week's ranking. The Sooners also dropped out the WBCA Coaches Poll. OU is receiving votes in both polls. Oklahoma is one of nine schools to have its football, men's basketball and women's basketball teams ranked or receiving votes in the latest AP Poll.

SERIES HISTORY

Friday night's showdown is the second all-time meeting between Oklahoma and Grambling State. The Sooners won the series' only other meeting, dispatching the Lady Tigers 100-66 in 1995, which was the final season under Burl Plunkett before Sherri Coale was hired. Oklahoma is 20-3 all-time vs. teams from the SWAC, including a 1-0 mark in 2023 (W, 92-46 vs. Alabama State) with one more contest (vs. Southern) on the docket.

LAST TIME OUT

Jasmine Powell came off the bench to score 13 of her 19 points in the fourth quarter and No. 19 Tennessee rallied past No. 22 Oklahoma 76-73 in the Fort Myers Tip-Off on Saturday. Sahara Williams scored a career-high 16 points and grabbed eight rebounds for the Sooners (5-2). Lexy Keys and Aubrey Joens added 12 apiece. Williams was named to the Fort Myers Women's Tip-Off All-Tournament Team following the game.

UP NEXT

The Sooners stay home for a matchup with (RV) UNLV (6-0) at Lloyd Noble Center on Dec. 9 at 2 p.m. The game will air on ESPN+.

A battle of conference champions from last season, the Lady Rebels went 30-3 last year, winning the Mountain West and are off to a 6-0 start this year. Coached by former Oklahoma WBB graduate assistant Lindy La Rocque, UNLV is receiving votes in the AP Poll.