No. 13 Oklahoma (23-6, 11-5 SEC) defeated No. 20 Alabama (23-7, 10-6 SEC) 91-84 on Sunday at the Lloyd Noble Center.
Sent the seniors out right but we ain’t done yet! #BoomerSooner ☝️ pic.twitter.com/OfA0QNIxCE
— Oklahoma Basketball (@OU_WBBall) March 2, 2025
Here are three takeaways from today’s Senior Day win:
Raining threes
During the season, Oklahoma has averaged 32.9% from within the three-point range. On Sunday, the Sooner made a total of nine three-point attempts (34.6%).
Firing on all cylinders 🔥 pic.twitter.com/D8jCVQRmx7
— Oklahoma Basketball (@OU_WBBall) March 2, 2025
Against Florida on Thursday, Oklahoma made 3 of 12 from within the range, shooting 25% in the first half. Against Alabama, the Sooners were shooting 38.9% from within the range, achieving 7 of 18 at the end of the first half.
Five Sooners made a shot from within the three-point range. Senior guard Payton Verhulst led Oklahoma with four threes, going 50% from the range. Behind her, redshirt senior guard Lexy Keys had two, while sophomore forward Sahara Williams, junior guard Reyna Scott and redshirt senior guard Nevaeh Tot each had one.
Oklahoma’s offense had an overall shooting percentage of 46%, achieving 29 of 63 shots.
Defense played hard
From the beginning of the game, Oklahoma’s defense came out with fire. The team worked hard, not allowing Alabama to adjust. In the first quarter, the Sooners held the Crimson Tide to 7 of 19 attempts (36.8%) and had a three-point shooting percentage of 28.6%, making 2 of 7 three pointers. The Sooners defense held the Crimson Tide to shoot under their average field goal percentage of 47% to 40%.
During the second quarter, the Crimson Tide caught up to the Sooners. By the end of the half, the score was tied at 45. The two teams battled it out on the court, totaling 40 personal fouls. Both Oklahoma and Alabama had a player foul out of the game. Redshirt senior forward Skylar Vann and Alabama sophomore forward Essence Cody had five personal fouls, resulting in them fouling out of the game.
“People are too good in this conference to leave them on islands,” Verhulst said. “I thought Lexy (Keys) and Zya (Vann) did a great job. I thought that we have to limit and make their shots though.”
Key player: Payton Verhulst
Senior guard Payton Verhulst was one of three Sooners to score double-digits against Alabama. For ten consecutive games, Verhulst has scored double digits. Against Florida on Thursday, she had 17 points. Since the beginning of the game, Verhulst had a fast, powerful momentum, maintaining it throughout the duration. Verhulst played aggressively, raking in three steals and one block. She shot 50% from the three-point range, making 4 of 8 threes.
THE LNC IS ROWDY 🗣️ pic.twitter.com/JcXIZ5TLuJ
— Oklahoma Basketball (@OU_WBBall) March 2, 2025
At the end of the game, Verhulst stepped up and made crucial free throws to extend the lead and secure the win. In the fourth quarter, Verhulst went up to the line six times, making five. In total, the guard made 6 of 7 free throws. Verhulst finished the game with 24 points, three rebounds and four assists.
“I just think that it said a lot about my team, that they have the confidence in me,” Verhulst said. “We’ve been in games like this, close at the end, and we’ve lost some, we’ve won some. I think I’m just trying to do whatever it takes to win.”
Next, Oklahoma will make its SEC Tournament debut on Thursday. The win over Alabama places them as the No. 5 seed, giving them a bye game. On Thursday, OU will play the winner of game two against the No. 12 or No. 13 seed at 11:30 a.m. on Thursday at Bon Secours Wellness Arena in Greenville, South Carolina on SEC Network.
What channel is Oklahoma vs. Alabama on today?
TV channel: SEC Network+
Start time: 1:30 p.m.
Location: Lloyd Noble Center
Notes: Today’s game marks Senior Day and the final game in regular season play. Oklahoma will recognize forward Skylar Vann, guards Lexy Keys, Nevaeh Tot and Aubrey Joens, and center/forward Liz Scott before tipoff. OU is also teaming up with Youth First for their Books and Ball mission. Oklahoma will be collecting new or gently used books in the Kid’z Zone during the game. Former head coach Sheri Coale will also be signing her book, “The Compost File” before the game as well.
Oklahoma women’s basketball schedule
Nov. 4: Oklahoma 76, Southern 44
Nov. 8: Oklahoma 95, Virginia 51
Nov. 13: Oklahoma 122, Western Carolina 56
Nov. 19: Oklahoma 79, Wichita State 49
Nov. 22: Oklahoma 88, UNLV 58
Nov. 25: Oklahoma 85, DePaul 62
Nov. 27: Duke 109, Oklahoma 99
Dec. 4: Oklahoma 78, Louisville 72
Dec. 8: Oklahoma 110, Alabama State 46
Dec. 15: Oklahoma 94, Oral Roberts 54
Dec. 17: Oklahoma 72, Michigan 62
Dec. 22: Oklahoma 111, Omaha 65
Dec. 29: Oklahoma 82, New Mexico State 64
Jan. 2: Texas 80, Oklahoma 73
Jan. 5: Oklahoma 87, Tennessee 86
Jan. 9: Mississippi State 81, Oklahoma 77
Jan. 12: Oklahoma 77, Texas A&M 62
Jan. 16: Oklahoma 80, Missouri 63
Jan. 19: South Carolina 101, Oklahoma 60
Jan. 26: Oklahoma 86, Georgia 55
Jan. 30: LSU 107, Oklahoma 100
Feb. 2: Kentucky 95, Oklahoma 86
Feb. 6: Oklahoma 66, Mississippi 56
Feb. 10: Oklahoma 73, Auburn 71
Feb. 16: Oklahoma 82, Missouri 66
Feb. 20: Oklahoma 101, Vanderbilt 81
Feb. 23: Oklahoma 94, Arkansas 54
Feb. 27: Oklahoma 89, Florida 65
March 2: vs. Alabama at 1:30 p.m. (TV: SEC Network)
This story was edited by Josh McDaniel.
