NORMAN, Okla. — Skylar Vann scored a season-high matching 20 points, while Payton Verhulst sealed the game with two crucial free throws just four seconds before the final buzzer, contributing 15 points overall to secure a 73-71 victory for the No. 16 ranked Oklahoma Sooners against the Auburn Tigers on Monday evening.

Vann set the tone early in the match, providing five points and four assists in the opening quarter, which helped Oklahoma establish a commanding 12-2 lead. By the end of the first quarter, they held a slim 21-17 advantage. The Sooners maintained their lead, going into halftime with a score of 44-35, and expanded it to 58-48 by the conclusion of the third quarter.

As the final quarter commenced, DeYona Gaston energized the Tigers with a notable three-point play, netting the first nine points of the period, narrowing the gap to just 58-57 with 8:28 left in the game. In response, Vann delivered another three-point play for Oklahoma, but the Tigers retaliated with a jumper from Gaston, followed by a layup from Mar’shaun Bostic, which shifted the momentum and gave Auburn its first lead at 66-65 with 3:30 remaining.

Verhulst converted one of two free throws to put Oklahoma back in front by a point, but Gaston managed to tie it at 71 by sinking one of her free throws with just 24 seconds left. After a foul was called on Verhulst with only four seconds on the clock, she coolly knocked down both free throws to clinch the victory, while Gaston was unable to convert on the final shot attempt of the game.

Gaston finished strong for Auburn with 24 points, while Bostic contributed 16 points, along with six rebounds and five assists. It was a significant match for the Tigers, as they sought their first road win against a ranked Southeastern Conference opponent since 2011, following their previous encounter with Oklahoma in 2018, which resulted in a defeat.

Auburn is scheduled to face No. 15 Tennessee on Thursday, while the Sooners will take on Missouri on Sunday.