Women's Hoops Opens Big 12 Play on Saturday

NORMAN – Oklahoma opens the Big 12 Conference slate Saturday when it hosts UCF at Lloyd Noble Center in Norman.

Tip is set for 1 p.m. on ESPN+ with Chad McKee and Dan Hughes calling the action as the Sooners (6-5) look to end a three-game skid vs. the Knights (9-1), who are playing in their first game as a Big 12 member.

Doors to the arena open one hour before tip and the Lloyd Noble Center's clear-bag policy is in effect. Tickets are still available for $2 and fans can enjoy $2 concessions (hot dogs, 16 oz soft drinks and 12 oz beers) at the game.

THE STARTING FIVE

The OU offensive attack is one of the most balanced in the country, as the Sooners are one of two Big 12 teams to boast four players that average 11.0 PPG. Skylar Vann (14.1) leads the way, followed by Aubrey Joens (11.8), Payton Verhulst (11.2) and freshman Sahara Williams (11.0). Oklahoma has played all 11 active players in every game this season.
Last season, Oklahoma went 14-4 in conference play and secured a share of the program's first Big 12 regular season title since 2009. The 2023-24 Sooners replace four of that team's starting five, with Nevaeh Tot the only returning starter, as Liz Scott will miss the season due to injury. Two-time Big 12 Sixth Player of the Year Skylar Vann has stepped into a starting role and is joined by transfers Payton Verhulst (Louisville), Lexy Keys (Oklahoma State), and freshman Sahara Williams as lead contributors.
A win on Saturday would push third-year OU coach Jennie Baranczyk to 250 career wins (192 at Drake, 58 at OU). The game marks Baranczyk's 367th game as a head coach and she would reach 250 Division I wins faster than all but one Big 12 coach as Iowa State HC Bill Fennelly eclipsed 250 wins in 341 contests. Baranczyk celebrated her 200th win on Dec. 7, 2021 vs. Eastern Michigan in her ninth game as the Oklahoma head coach.
Oklahoma is 8-2 in its last 10 Big 12 openers, including a perfect 2-0 under Jennie Baranczyk who is in her third year as head coach. Overall, OU is 26-10 in regular season conference games in the Baranczyk era and 13-5 at home.
Since the Big 12 was launched in 1996, OU has been a stalwart of the league's women's basketball contingent. OU has won 11 Big 12 championship, reaching the NCAA Tournament 21 times since 1996, tied for second most in the league. All-time, Oklahoma has posted a 352-265 (.570) record vs. Big 12 teams.

SERIES HISTORY

Saturday's meeting is the first all-time between Oklahoma and UCF.

LAST TIME OUT

Aubrey Joens scored 18 points, but Oklahoma lost a fourth-quarter lead and fell to Southern, 79-70, in Norman on Friday to close the team's non-conference slate. OU shot 44% and made nine 3-pointers, but 27 turnovers, including 10 in the final frame, proved the difference as the Sooners (6-5, 0-0 Big 12) dropped their third straight contest.

UP NEXT

The Sooners continue league play on Wednesday (Jan. 3) when it travels to BYU for an 8 p.m. CT tip. Oklahoma has won six straight vs. the Cougars, including back-to-back wins under Baranczyk.