The Oklahoma Sooners went on the road to Ames, Iowa, and took care of business against a tough Iowa State Cyclones team. The Sooners remained in first place in the Big 12 with their 86-72 win Saturday night.
Payton Verhulst led the way from the jump, hitting a trio of three-pointers in the first quarter on the way to a 25-point performance. She also had eight rebounds and six assists. She was 8 of 17 on the evening and 6 of 11 from three.
Though the final margin reads 14 points, the game was close for much of the first quarter, but the Sooners pulled away in the final few minutes of the quarter on a 10-2 run to establish an eight-point lead at 27-19. And the Sooners never let it get close again.
After the Cyclones shot 50% in the first quarter and 46% in the second, the Sooners turned it up defensively, holding Iowa State to 35% shooting in the third quarter and 27% in the fourth.
For the game, the Sooners shot 45% from the field and 39% from three.
Skylar Vann provided 12 points and four rebounds and Neveah Tot nearly had a double-double with 10 points and nine assists.
Oklahoma outrebounded the Cyclones by 10 and also had 10 more assists than Iowa State.
It was another solid win for Jennie Baranczyk’s crew, who are now 17-6 on the season and 11-1 in the Big 12. It’s a strong statement ahead of a big midweek showdown with the Baylor Bears on Wednesday.
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