In the opening round of the NCAA Women’s Tournament, the Oklahoma Sooners and the IUPUI Jaguars played down to the wire after OU jumped out to a big lead in the fourth quarter.
It was a tight game at halftime, as each team hit shots and battled for the first 20 minutes. The Sooners held just a four-point lead but were able to go on a run in the third quarter that saw them up by as many as 14 points at one point. IUPUI would cut the score late in the fourth quarter to keep things interesting, but the Sooners found a way to win despite being outrebounded on the offensive glass by six.
The duo of Madi Williams and Taylor Robertson was phenomenal on the night, each scoring 20 points. Robertson had 22 points on 5 of 11 shooting, including 4 of 10 from three. She was 8 of 9 from the free throw line, including three free throws in the final minute to help keep the Sooners in control in the face of the Jaguars’ late run.
Williams was the story of the game, scoring 21 points on 9 of 14 shooting with six rebounds and two assists. She played with great energy and poise, getting buckets for the Sooners to help stymie IUPUI runs late in the game.
On the defensive end, the Sooners had their hands full with IUPUI forward Maci Williams but held her to 17 points on 6 of 15 shooting.
It was the first time the Oklahoma Sooners appeared in the NCAA tournament since 2018 and the first time they’ve won a game since 2017. Jennie Baranczyk picks up the opening round win in her first season at the helm for the Oklahoma Sooners.
The Sooners now face the Notre Dame Fighting Irish, who defeated UMass 89-78 to advance to the round of 32. Their matchup will take place on Monday, March 21, with a time to be announced.
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