Oklahoma (6-3) suffered its third loss in four games Saturday against UNLV (9-0) 92-76 in Norman.
Freshman forward Sahara Williams had a double-double with 15 points and 10 rebounds. OU shot 44% from the field and 29% from the 3-point line. Senior forward Skyler Vann had 26 points and eight rebounds.
Here are three takeaways from the Sooners loss:
Toughest opponent ever
UNLV presented one of the toughest challenges for OU.
The key to the Lady Rebels’ scoring success lies in using a very physical offense that focuses on breaking through the lane and scoring inside, making this area the most effective hit against OU’s defense. It has been found. UNLV scored 56 points in the paint, about 61% of its final score. He also shot 50% from field goal range. UNLV’s 92 points are the most the Sooners have allowed this season.
“We need to be able to move a little bit more in the paint,” head coach Jenny Baranczyk said. “…That was the biggest key to this game for both sides, they kicked our tails off. We didn’t post enough, we didn’t cut enough, we didn’t drive enough. , I was really hesitant. It’s a shame.”
UNLV senior center Desiree Young scored more points than any opponent against OU this season, finishing with a season-high 32 points and eight rebounds. Following Young was UNLV junior guard Kiara Jackson, who dropped 20 points and grabbed six rebounds.
Thanks to Bunn and Williams, OU was able to stay within striking distance throughout the first half and into the third quarter. After the Lady Rebels led 71-65 entering the fourth quarter, the Sooners’ defense collapsed, allowing UNLV to make 7 of 13 field goal attempts.
OU relied primarily on its shooting ability, which ultimately led to its underperformance in the fourth quarter. The Lady Rebel defense was successful in shutting down his OU shooting game, forcing them to desperately try to score. OU missed 11 of his 16 attempts in the fourth quarter. UNLV went on a 12-5 run with the remainder of the game, burying OU before the final buzzer sounded.
“I felt like we left a lot off the rim today,” Baranczyk said. “We didn’t get second chances like we usually do. That was a big disappointment as well. I didn’t think we had a lot of offensive crushers. I think we figured it out pretty well today as far as the three-ball.”
Peyton Verhulst is back.
Junior guard Peyton Verhulst returned to the court Saturday for the first time in two weeks. His move to Louisville came after he injured his ankle in the Sooners’ loss to Tennessee on Nov. 25 in Fort Myers. Verhulst also missed OU’s 103-69 win over Grambling State.
Verhulst entered the Sooners’ starting lineup and played 19 minutes. She had two points and two rebounds on 1-of-4 shooting.
Oklahoma will need Verhulst, who averages 13 points per game, to prepare for Big 12 play.
“Like any injury, it was a bit of a challenge,” Baranczyk said. “Reintegration can be a little difficult sometimes. I think she would probably say the same thing. I hope she continues to get better. I thought she did everything she could today.”
a moment of silence
Both teams held a short moment of silence before introducing their starting lineups. Fans at the Lloyd Noble Center remained silent for 10 seconds before the game continued.
The moment of silence was held in light of recent tragedies on UNLV’s campus. Three UNLV employees were killed and one hospitalized after a gunman opened fire Wednesday at Frank and Estella Beam Hall.
“Sometimes the great part (of sports) is that you can be respectful and you can let people know that things are not okay,” Baranczyk said. “Today was a moment of silence because it’s about UNLV and unfortunately it’s all too common. As a parent, that’s very scary. As a coach, I think it could happen anywhere. And it becomes very scary.”
Next, Oklahoma will be on the road again to take on No. 24 North Carolina (6-3) as part of the Jumpman Invitational in Charlotte on Dec. 19 on ESPN 2.
This article was edited by Colton Sulley and Louis Raser.