OU Defense Reigns Supreme as Sooners Overpower TCU

Wednesday, February 7

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University of Oklahoma

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TCU

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OU Defense Reigns Supreme as Sooners Overpower TCU

February 07, 2024 | Women's Basketball

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By: OU Athletics Communications

NORMAN – Oklahoma shot 48% from the field and used a strong second half to overpower TCU, 72-55, in Norman on Wednesday and remain in first place in the Big 12.

The win marked Oklahoma's (16-6, 10-1 Big 12) seventh straight victory – the third-longest winning streak of the Jennie Baranczyk era – and the Sooners are 10-1 in league play for the first time since 2008-09.

"I know that it wasn't the best we've played, but I'm proud of how we really gutted some things out," Baranczyk said. "We didn't really have the bounce that we normally do, but we created some really good opportunities in the second half. Sometimes you've got to win in different ways and we were able to do that today."

The Sooners held TCU (15-7, 2-9 Big 12) to 39% shooting and just 55 points, improving to 43-2 since 2021 when holding their opponents under 40% shooting. It's the first time since 2015-16 that OU has kept four Big 12 foes to 55 points or less in a season.

OU got off to a hot shooting start, making four of its first five to take an early advantage, but the Frogs answered with a run as OU took a 19-15 lead into the second quarter. Both teams locked in defensively in the second quarter as they made just five field goals apiece, and the Sooners maintained their four-point lead at the half. An 11-5 OU run over the last 4:22 of the third pushed the Sooner lead to double-digits for the first time of the night, and OU never let the Horned Frogs back into it. TUC got within eight points early in the final frame, but a 10-2 run sparked by Sahara Williams, who scored all nine of her points in the quarter, put the game away.

Skylar Vann's 17 points on 7-of-12 led the way as the senior forward reached double figures for the 15th consecutive game, a career-long streak. Sophomore Kiersten Johnson added 11 points and eight rebounds, both career highs for the 6'4" center. Payton Verhulst added 14 points, six rebounds, five assists and a career-best three steals in another stat-stuffing effort.

OU finished the night 28-of-59 from the field (47.5%) but shot 57% in the second half. The Sooners outrebounded TCU 35-29, improving to 12-2 this year when winning on the glass. Another efficient night from the Big 12's best team in turnovers and assists saw Oklahoma dish out 22 assists compared to only 12 turnovers. The OU defense secured 12 steals, its most since the conference opener vs. UCF (15) on Dec. 30.

On Saturday night, OU will look to win its eighth in a row when it takes on Iowa State (13-8, 7-4 Big 12) at Hilton Coliseum in Ames, Iowa. Tip is set for 6 p.m. on ESPN+.

The Sooners return to Norman next Wednesday (Feb. 14), taking on Baylor at Lloyd Noble Center for its annual Pink Game.