No. 23 Oklahoma (19-7, 13-2 Big 12) defeated Cincinnati (12-14, 4-11) 95-87 on Tuesday at Fifth Third Arena.
OU shot 50.7% from the floor, blocked eight shots and had five steals in the high-scoring shootout with the Bearcats.
Here are three takeaways from the Sooners’ win:
OU takes advantage of Bearcats’ early struggles
Oklahoma maintained a steady lead throughout the first half due to the Bearcats’ struggles to establish the pace of the game.
While the Sooners gained momentum and scored quick buckets, Cincinnati shot just 36.8% from the floor in the first half.
The Bearcats were able to break down the Sooners’ 11-point lead in the second quarter and tie OU twice. However, turnovers and second-half shooting struggles allowed the Sooners to eventually pull ahead.
During the game, the Bearcats displayed poor passing and weak ball control resulting in nine turnovers. The Sooners converted the fumbles into 24 points.
Oklahoma’s defense inside the lane also kept the Bearcats from scoring. The Sooners locked down the paint, blocking eight shots, and sophomore forward Kiersten Johnson accounted for half of the blocks, with four. Oklahoma outscored Cincinnati in the paint 46 to 40.
Sooners have solid start to second half
After not being able to establish a steady lead in the first half, the Sooners found a rhythm in the second.
Oklahoma built a 22-point lead in the third quarter. Freshman forward Sahara Williams led the way, and quickly scored nine points in two minutes.
OU shot 51% in the second half. Despite the Bearcats’ struggles to score, they out rebounded the Sooners 49-33.
The Bearcats also capitalized on the free throw line, finishing 20 of 26. Senior forward Jillian Hayes went 6 of 9 at the line to finish the night with a team-high 20 points.
Cincinnati, who had an 11-0 run in the last two minutes of the game, cut OU’s lead to six, but head coach Jennie Baranczyk substituted the starting lineup back in to solidify the win.
Keys reaches 1,000
Senior guard Lexy Keys became the second player at Oklahoma to reach a 1,000-point milestone this season.
Keys was fouled by the Bearcats’ sophomore guard A’riel Jackson and was sent to the line just over a minute into the game. The Oklahoma State transfer made both attempts to reach 1,000 career points. Keys finished the night with 17 points and three rebounds.
The only other player at OU to reach the 1,000-point mark this season was senior forward Skylar Vann, who also achieved her own milestone by sinking two free throws against Alabama State on Nov. 15.
Vann led both teams in scoring with 22 points. She also had five rebounds, six assists and three blocks.
Next, Oklahoma plays Oklahoma State (12-13, 5-9 Big 12) at 1 p.m. Saturday at the Lloyd Noble Center in Norman on FOX.
