No. 10 Oklahoma Secures a Decisive 94-54 Victory Over Oral Roberts

The Oklahoma Sooners, ranked No. 10 in the nation, delivered an impressive performance on Sunday, defeating Oral Roberts 94-54 at the Lloyd Noble Center in Norman. With this win, Oklahoma improved to a 9-1 record, while the Golden Eagles fell to 7-3. Here are the key takeaways from the Sooners’ commanding victory.

Struggles with Shooting Consistency

Despite their dominant win, the Sooners continued to face challenges with shooting consistency, an issue that has surfaced throughout the season. Against Alabama State last week, OU achieved a remarkable 58.9% shooting efficiency, converting 43 of their 73 attempts. However, their performance against Oral Roberts dropped to 44%, with the team making 37 of 84 shots.

Three-point shooting was particularly problematic for Oklahoma in this game. The Sooners went 9-for-33 from beyond the arc, posting a 27.3% success rate—their third-lowest three-point percentage of the season. While their shooting struggles might have impacted the game’s rhythm, head coach Jennie Baranczyk emphasized the importance of defensive resilience when shots aren’t falling.

“That’s why you have to be able to guard, because sometimes the ball doesn’t go in the hole,” Baranczyk explained. “But I think from a shot selection standpoint, I thought we took really good shots. Sometimes they go in, and sometimes they don’t. What matters is how we respond, and I thought we responded well. We just need to continue building from that.”

Despite the overall struggles from deep, a few key players managed to find success. Redshirt senior guards Lexy Keys and Aubrey Joens, along with senior guard Payton Verhulst, were the only Sooners to connect from three-point range.

• Lexy Keys: Keys contributed three three-pointers, finishing the game with nine points, five rebounds, and two assists.
• Payton Verhulst: Verhulst knocked down four shots from beyond the arc, tallying 12 points, nine rebounds, and four assists.
• Aubrey Joens: Joens added one three-pointer to her stats, ending the game with three points, three rebounds, and one assist.

The Sooners’ ability to find contributions from these players highlights the depth and versatility of their roster, even during an off-night from long range.

A Step Forward in Defensive Performance

While shooting consistency has been a recurring challenge for Oklahoma, their defensive performance against Oral Roberts was a notable improvement. The Sooners’ ability to disrupt the Golden Eagles’ offense and capitalize on turnovers played a pivotal role in their victory.

Oklahoma’s defense forced Oral Roberts into 19 turnovers, which the Sooners converted into 25 points. They also dominated on the boards, securing crucial defensive rebounds that limited Oral Roberts’ second-chance opportunities. In the first half alone, the Sooners held the Golden Eagles to a mere 26.7% shooting efficiency, allowing only 8 of 30 shots to fall. Remarkably, Oral Roberts failed to make a single three-pointer in the first half.

By the end of the game, Oklahoma’s defensive efforts had restricted Oral Roberts to just 54 points. The Golden Eagles shot 31.7% overall, making 20 of 63 attempts, and connected on only three shots from beyond the arc. This marked a significant improvement for Oklahoma, which has occasionally struggled with defensive consistency this season.

Freshman guard Zya Vann and junior center Raegan Beers were standout performers on the defensive end. Their aggressive, man-to-man defensive play resulted in several steals and disrupted Oral Roberts’ offensive rhythm.

• Zya Vann: Vann recorded four steals, showcasing her quick hands and ability to anticipate passes. She also added 14 points, four rebounds, and two assists.
• Raegan Beers: Beers secured three steals and achieved her fifth double-double of the season with 14 points, 10 rebounds, and one assist.

Overall, the Sooners collected 14 steals, an improvement from the 12 they recorded against Alabama State in their previous game. Beers credited the coaching staff for preparing the team effectively in practice. “What we do really well at practice is that they [the coaches] make things extremely game-like,” Beers explained. “They stepped in this week and made us guard them. When we practice that way, it translates to the court. We need to keep doing that every single day throughout the season.”

Zya Vann’s Impactful Performance

Freshman guard Zya Vann delivered an electrifying performance against Oral Roberts, energizing her team on both ends of the court. The Edmond, Oklahoma native scored 14 points in just over 16 minutes of play, marking the second time this season she has reached that total.

Vann’s offensive efficiency stood out, as she made five of her 11 shot attempts and was a perfect 4-for-4 from the free-throw line. In addition to her scoring, she demonstrated her defensive prowess with four steals, contributing significantly to Oklahoma’s 25 points off turnovers. Despite her aggressive style of play, Vann kept her mistakes to a minimum, committing only one personal foul and one turnover.

Head coach Jennie Baranczyk praised Vann’s enthusiasm and passion for the game. “I think she has a desire just to play,” Baranczyk said. “She loves playing, and you can see that. Sometimes when she overthinks or puts too much pressure on herself, she’s not as effective. But when she’s just out there playing freely, she’s really, really good.”

Vann’s energy and contributions have made her a valuable asset for the Sooners, providing a spark off the bench and reinforcing the team’s depth.

Looking Ahead

Oklahoma’s strong performance against Oral Roberts sets the stage for an exciting matchup against No. 20 Michigan. The Sooners will face the Wolverines (8-1) on Tuesday at the Spectrum Center in Charlotte, North Carolina. The game is scheduled for 8:30 p.m. CST and will be broadcast on ESPN2.

As the Sooners prepare for their next challenge, their focus will likely remain on improving shooting consistency and maintaining the defensive intensity they showcased against Oral Roberts. With a balanced roster featuring experienced players and impactful newcomers like Zya Vann, Oklahoma has the tools to continue their successful season.

Final Thoughts

Sunday’s victory over Oral Roberts was a testament to Oklahoma’s resilience and depth. Despite facing challenges with shooting efficiency, the Sooners demonstrated their ability to dominate through defense and capitalize on turnovers. Key performances from players like Lexy Keys, Raegan Beers, and Zya Vann highlight the team’s versatility and potential as they head into tougher competition. If Oklahoma can address their shooting inconsistencies and continue building on their defensive improvements, they will be well-positioned for success in the remainder of the season.