Women's Hoops Looks For Second Big 12 Win vs. BYU Wednesday

NORMAN – Oklahoma will look to start 2-0 in conference play for the first time since the 2016-17 season when it travels to BYU on Wednesday for a Big 12 matchup.

The Sooners (7-5, 1-0 Big 12) have won six straight vs. the Cougars (10-4, 0-1 Big 12), but the teams meet in Provo for the first time as league foes. Tip is set for 8 p.m. CT on ESPN+.

THE STARTING FIVE

The Sooners have won six straight against BYU, the program's second-longest active winning streak and longest against a Power Six opponent. OU has won the last two meetings, both of which came under Baranczyk, defeating BYU in overtime (99-91) in Norman in 2021 and 77-66 in Provo last season. The streak began in 2000 when Oklahoma knocked off the Cougars in the first round of the NCAA Tournament, 86-81, when the Sooners were a No. 5 seed that eventually advanced to the Sweet 16.
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 10.0 PPG. Skylar Vann (13.8) leads the way, followed by Aubrey Joens (11.5), Payton Verhulst (11.0) and freshman Sahara Williams (10.3). Oklahoma has played all 11 active players in every game this season and all 11 scored in OU's win over UCF (12/30).
Oklahoma has a 353-265 (.570) record all-time in games vs. Big 12 opponents, including postseason matchups. The now 14-team league welcomes new members UCF, BYU, Cincinnati and Houston this season and Oklahoma owns a 10-3 combined record vs. the four (7-1 vs. BYU, 2-2 vs. UH, 1-0 vs. UCF). OU's first three games of Big 12 play come vs. teams that are new to the league.
Aubrey Joens is having a breakout season. The sharpshooter averages 11.5 points per game on 49.0% shooting, including a blistering 41.9% rate from deep. The guard pulls down 3.9 rebounds in just under 21.0 minutes per game. Joens is the only player in the country to average 10.0 PPG while shooting 49% from the floor while taking 5.0 3PA/game in under 21.0 MPG.
The Sooners score in a variety of different ways. The team's 19.9 fast break points/game rank fifth nationally and lead the Big 12 as OU gets 25% of its points in transition. But OU's 38.3 points in the paint/game rank 26th in the country and account for almost half of OU's points.

SERIES HISTORY

Oklahoma and BYU have met eight times but Wednesday's meeting marks the first as conference opponents.

The Sooners are 7-1 all-time vs. BYU and have won the last six meetings, a streak that stretches back nearly 24 years. OU's six-game winning streak marks the program's second-longest active winning streak vs. an opponent.

OU head coach Jennie Baranczyk is 2-0 all-time vs. the Cougars (both as the OU HC) and 1-0 vs. Amber Whiting (2022).

LAST TIME OUT

Oklahoma used its depth and a stout defensive performance to erase an early 11-point deficit and knock off UCF 69-52 in the team's Big 12 opener in Norman on Saturday. The win secured head coach Jennie Baranczyk's 250th career win and marked Oklahoma's (7-5, 1-0 Big 12) third consecutive conference-opening victory under the head coach. The Sooners held UCF (9-2, 0-1 Big 12) to 52 points, the lowest for an OU conference opponent in nearly four years.

UP NEXT

Oklahoma returns to Norman on Saturday (Jan. 6) for a battle with Big 12 newcomer Cincinnati at Lloyd Noble Center. Tip is set for noon CT on ESPN+.