NC State shocks No. 18 Ole Miss with stunning 68-61 victory

In a decisive performance on December 15, 2024, the No. 10 Oklahoma women's basketball team hosted Oral Roberts in Norman, Oklahoma. The game saw Oklahoma extend its winning streak to three games with a commanding 94-54 win. Raegan Beers led the way for the Sooners with a double-double, scoring 14 points and grabbing 10 rebounds. Zya Vann matched Beers in points, while Payton Verhulst contributed 12 points and just narrowly missed a double-double of her own with nine rebounds. Oklahoma’s strong bench depth was evident, with several reserve players contributing significantly to the scoreline. The Sooners established dominance early in the game, leading 24-11 after the first quarter. They continued to extend their lead, outscoring Oral Roberts 25-8 in the second quarter, thus taking a substantial 49-19 lead into halftime. This period of dominance reiterated Oklahoma's physical advantage and superior shooting, as they controlled both ends of the court. In contrast, Oral Roberts struggled significantly, shooting only 31.7% from the field and missing their first ten three-point attempts before Emily Robinson finally connected late in the third quarter. Oral Roberts' tallest player was just 6-foot-1, significantly impacting their ability to compete on the boards where they were outrebounded 59-34. They also fell short in scoring, particularly in the paint, where they were outscored 48-30. The Golden Eagles had an off night offensively and were severely limited in their success against the Sooners’ defense and rebounding. This loss marked a tough outing for Oral Roberts but also demonstrated the effectiveness of Oklahoma's strategy and execution. Looking ahead, Oklahoma is set to play No. 14 Michigan in the Jumpman Invitational in Charlotte, North Carolina. This matchup against a top 15 opponent presents a new challenge for the Sooners, as they aim to maintain their form and improve upon their current season record of 9-1. Meanwhile, Oral Roberts will look to rebound from this defeat in their next game against Missouri, as they strive to refine their game and focus on rebounding from this tough loss.