NORMAN, Okla. — Raegan Beers showcased a remarkable performance, scoring 22 points and securing 11 rebounds, despite grappling with an injury in the third quarter, to guide No. 13 Oklahoma to a vital 91-84 victory against No. 20 Alabama on Sunday. This win cements Oklahoma’s spot as the No. 5 seed heading into the Southeastern Conference tournament. With this victory, the Sooners wrapped up their inaugural season in the SEC on a high note, marking a seven-game winning streak. By virtue of their standings, both Oklahoma and Alabama have secured a bye for the tournament’s opening round starting Wednesday in Greenville, S.C. They are set to face off in second-round matches on Thursday, occupying the fifth and sixth seeds, respectively.
At halftime, the teams were locked in a 45-45 stalemate. However, Oklahoma managed to gain the upper hand thanks to Beers, an Oregon State transfer, who dexterously tipped in a Lexy Keys miss and successfully sank a free throw, bringing the score to 54-53 with just seven minutes on the clock. This play marked the beginning of a significant 9-0 run. Beers encountered a moment of distress battling for an offensive rebound, clutching her knee in pain with over three minutes still remaining in the third quarter. Despite this setback, she resiliently continued her play, contributing three more rebounds as she pushed through her discomfort.
Alabama found themselves trailing by up to 10 points late in the fourth quarter. However, Sarah Ashlee Barker energized their offense with two successful free throws, followed by a basket from Karly Weathers, and a crucial three-pointer, narrowing the gap to just five points with under a minute left. Barker’s layup reduced the deficit further to 87-84 with merely 17 seconds remaining. Yet, Payton Verhulst demonstrated calm under pressure, nailing five consecutive free throws in the final moments to secure Oklahoma’s win.
Verhulst made a significant impact with 24 points, including four key three-pointers, and converted 6 out of 7 from the free-throw line to lead her team, Oklahoma (23-6, 11-5). Sahara Williams provided added support, contributing 15 points. On the Alabama side, Zaay Green spearheaded the effort, scoring 27 points, complemented by six rebounds and five assists. Barker contributed 20 points, while Aaliyah Nye and Essence Cody added 15 and 12 points, respectively.
