CHARLOTTE, N.C. — In an exciting matchup at the Jumpman Invitational on Tuesday night, No. 10 Oklahoma emerged victorious against No. 20 Michigan with a final score of 72-62. Payton Verhulst and Skylar Vann were crucial to the Sooners’ success, each contributing 12 points to the team’s effort. Lexy Keys followed closely with 11 points, while Sahara Williams added 10, helping Oklahoma to improve their record to 10-1. Additionally, Raegan Beers dominated the boards with 10 rebounds, playing a significant role in the team’s performance.
For Michigan (9-2), Mila Holloway stood out as the top scorer for her team with 20 points. Jordan Hobbs supported with 14 points before exiting the game after fouling out late in the fourth quarter. Despite a competitive play from both sides in the first three quarters, Michigan’s inability to maintain composure ultimately led to their downfall, as they allowed the Sooners to capitalize on 26 turnovers, resulting in 20 points for Oklahoma.
The game remained closely contested until midway through the final quarter when Oklahoma began to pull away. Key 3-pointers from Keys and Vann pushed the Sooners’ lead to its largest margin of 11 points, establishing a comfortable buffer as they aimed for the win.
**Takeaways:**
For Michigan, the game highlighted areas for improvement, particularly in overcoming Oklahoma’s defensive strategies. Many errors could be attributed to the Wolverines themselves, but the Sooners’ strong defense undoubtedly posed challenges.
Oklahoma, with its height advantage, excelled in rebounding, securing 44 boards to Michigan’s 37. This physicality on the glass may prove beneficial for them as they prepare for the NCAA Tournament.
**Key Stat:**
Notably, Michigan struggled at the free-throw line, converting only 9 of 16 attempts while Oklahoma capitalized with 16 of 24 successful shots from the charity stripe.
**Key Moment:**
A pivotal point came when Keys sank a 3-pointer with 7:28 remaining in the fourth quarter, extending the Sooners’ lead to 59-51 and providing them much-needed breathing room in the crucial moments of the game.
**Next Games:**
Looking ahead, Michigan is set to face Akron on Friday, while Oklahoma will host Omaha on Sunday.