HENDERSON, Nev. — In a compelling matchup at the Ball Dawgs Classic, Payton Verhulst led the No. 8 Oklahoma Sooners to an 85-62 victory over DePaul. Verhulst’s performance was impressive, contributing 18 points, nine assists, and seven rebounds to the team’s success on Monday afternoon.
Oklahoma maintained control throughout the game, leading from the outset and showcasing their powerful start to the season. The Sooners are currently undefeated with a record of 6-0, winning each of their games by a minimum of 23 points, which has resulted in a staggering average margin of victory of 37.5 points per contest.
Supporting Verhulst, Raegan Beers had a standout performance as well, making all six of her attempts from the field for a total of 17 points along with eight rebounds. Liz Scott contributed 14 points, while Skylar Vann added 11 to the tally.
On the other side, DePaul’s offense was led by Jorie Allen and Meg Newman, who both scored 15 points, while Charlece Ohiaeri added 12 points to the team’s overall effort.
In a notable moment for DePaul, Ohiaeri achieved a career-high in scoring right in her hometown. Previously, she starred at the prestigious Centennial High School in Las Vegas, helping her team secure three consecutive state championships.
As for Oklahoma, the team appeared to be in peak form following a weekend in Las Vegas, where they convincingly defeated UNLV 88-58. This latest win represents the best start for the Sooners since their 7-0 run at the beginning of the 2010-11 season.
A pivotal moment in the game occurred when Ohiaeri’s three-pointer reduced Oklahoma’s lead to 11 points with 6:55 remaining in the first half. In response, the Sooners launched an 11-2 scoring run that disrupted DePaul’s flow, causing the Blue Demons to miss nine of their last ten shots during that stretch.
Statistically, Oklahoma excelled in the first half, shooting 51.4% from the field while holding DePaul to just 27.9% shooting accuracy. DePaul struggled particularly from beyond the arc, making only 4 of 17 attempts for a bleak 23.5%.
Looking ahead, Oklahoma will next compete against No. 13 Duke in the championship game on Wednesday, while DePaul is set to face off against No. 9 Kansas State in the consolation match.