Oklahoma's Big 12 Championship Run Ends in Semifinals

Saturday, March 11

Municipal Auditorium | Kansas City

2:30 PM

University of Oklahoma

25-6,14-4Big 12

Semifinal - Iowa State

21-9,11-7Big 12

Iowa St.

Oklahoma

Photo by: Johnny Smiley

Oklahoma's Big 12 Championship Run Ends in Semifinals

March 11, 2023 | Women's Basketball

Box Score Final Stats Highlights Photo Gallery

By: OU Athletics Communications

KANSAS CITY – Oklahoma's run at the Phillips 66 Big 12 Championship ended Saturday when the No. 2-seeded Sooners were downed 82-72 by third-seeded Iowa State at Municipal Auditorium in Kansas City.

The loss sent No. 14 Oklahoma (25-6, 14-4) home early, and head coach Jennie Baranczyk's team now awaits the NCAA Selection Show, which will air on ESPN at 7 p.m. CT Sunday, March 12. A spot in the NCAA Tournament would mark Oklahoma's 21st appearance in March Madness since 2000 and the second straight to open the Baranczyk era.

The Sooners started Saturday's Big 12 semifinal hot, jumping out to an 11-3 lead right before the media timeout in the first quarter. But out of the timeout, the Cyclones (21-9, 11-7) hit their next three 3-pointers before tying the game at 15. A pair of free throws from Nevaeh Tot gave the Sooners a 19-18 lead after the first. Iowa State caught fire offensively in the second frame, shooting nearly 70% and 50% from behind the arc in the period to leap in front of OU, 42-39, at halftime. A 16-6 ISU run over the first five minutes of the third quarter pushed the Cyclones in front for good. Trailing by as many as 17 points early in the fourth quarter, Baranczyk's team continued to fight as it had all season. OU used an 11-0 run over five minutes in the fourth to cut the deficit to just six, but clutch baskets from Ashley Joens and Nyamer Diew extended the Cyclone lead back to 11 as the Sooners couldn't complete the comeback. Iowa State will face No. 1-seeded Texas in Sunday's Big 12 Championship final at 1 p.m. on ESPN2.

Madi Williams returned to form on Saturday, scoring 19 points on 9-of-16 shooting, paired with five assists and three rebounds. Skylar Vann reached double-figures for the fourth straight game, finishing with 13 points and four rebounds. Nevaeh Tot scored 14 points with three assists by tying her season-high of four 3-pointers. In her potentially last game vs. a Big 12 opponent, Taylor Robertson hit two 3-pointers to tally eight points but pulled down five rebounds and dished out a season-best seven assists. Freshman Beatrice Culliton added eight points and eight rebounds in the loss.

Oklahoma shot 44% as a team but allowed Iowa State to shoot 45% on the night. The Sooners won the battle on the boards, outrebounding ISU 38-34. The OU offense dished out 18 assists to 14 turnovers, but Iowa State shot 87% from the free throw line to down the Sooners.

The Sooners will learn their NCAA Tournament fate during Sunday's selection show and gear up for March Madness.