AUSTIN, TX — Oklahoma women’s basketball coach Jennie Baranczyk’s teams like to get out and run.
The style of play is known to lead to turnovers, but it often forces defenses onto their heels, making OU difficult to defend. The Sooners used their speed to outrun South Carolina on Jan. 22 in an overtime win.
On Sunday, the Sooners had trouble inbounding the ball, crossing halfcourt and setting up sets offensively. Tenth-ranked OU was overwhelmed on both ends of the floor by No. 4 Texas in a 78-70 loss inside rowdy Moody Center.
In a span of less than two minutes to begin the second quarter, OU turned the ball over four times — two of which were errant passes while trying to set up the offense by Sahara Williams.
The Longhorns used a 12-0 second-quarter run behind a couple of 3-pointers to outscore the Sooners 21-14 in the second quarter. OU showed fight in the second half but never recovered.
The Sooners continued their recklessness with the ball throughout, turning the ball over 21 total times. Texas was opportunistic, scoring 25 points off OU turnovers.
Guard Payton Verhulst led the Sooners with 18 points on 7-for-11 shooting. Zya Vann added 15 points. Star center Raegan Beers was held to 10 points but grabbed 11 rebounds in 35 minutes.
True freshman phenom Aaliyah Chavez struggled mightily, finishing with only 11 points and one assist. Chavez made three of her 13 shot attempts and shot 1 for 6 from 3-point range.
True freshman forward Brooklyn Stewart continues to give OU quality minutes, finishing with seven points and nine rebounds.
Texas shot 51% from the field compared to the Sooners’ 45%. OU finished just 6 for 21 from deep.
Madison Booker and Justice Carlton led the Longhorns with 16 points apiece.
Here are two more takeaways from the Sooners’ (17-5, 5-4 SEC) loss:
Payton Verhulst stays hot
Learning how to play alongside Chavez was an adjustment for Verhulst, the veteran redshirt senior, early in the season.
But entering Sunday’s game, Verhulst had begun finding her stride of late. Fresh off a 16-point showing in OU’s win over Texas A&M on Thursday, Verhulst once again lit up the scoreboard.
When the Sooners’ offense grew stagnant, Verhulst used back cuts to find an open lane to the basket or to get a good look from deep.
In the last two games, Verhulst has combined for 34 points and eight 3s.
In addition to her scoring prowess, Verhulst dished four assists. If OU wants to get back in the win column, Verhulst will play a major role.
Aaliyah Chavez goes cold in Moody
It’s been a gradual process for Chavez, working to adapt to SEC play as a true freshman.
Facing a physical Texas defense was perhaps her toughest challenge yet.
Chavez, OU’s point guard who has the ball in her hands more than any other Sooner, had a Longhorn attached to her hip at all times. She took a flurry of ill-advised shots and never got comfortable.
She also committed three fouls and only got to the foul line twice.
Chavez has shown she can take over games — see her 15-point overtime explosion against the Gamecocks. But she failed to find any rhythm on Sunday in her home state.
Next, OU travels to face No. 5 Vanderbilt at 8 p.m. next Monday, Feb. 9 at Memorial Gymnasium in Nashville on ESPN2.
Colton Sulley covers the Oklahoma Sooners for The Oklahoman. Have a story idea for Colton? He can be reached at csulley@oklahoman.com or on X/Twitter at @colton_sulley. Support Colton’s work and that of other Oklahoman journalists by purchasing a digital subscription today at subscribe.oklahoman.com
This article originally appeared on Oklahoman: OU women’s basketball overwhelmed by Texas in SEC road loss
