Sooners outlast No. 21 Tennessee in foul-filled thriller, with star Beers dominating the boards and offense erupting from the charity stripe
NORMAN, Okla. - In a thrilling, foul-heavy SEC showdown at Lloyd Noble Center, the No. 11 Sooners edged out the No. 21 Tennessee Lady Vols with a final score of 100-93 on Sunday afternoon.
The game featured intense physical play, a barrage of free throws, and standout performances that kept fans on the edge of their seats throughout.Leading the charge for Oklahoma (now 21-6 overall, 9-5 in SEC play) was Raegan Beers, the consistent double-double machine, who delivered 18 points and a game-high 18 rebounds.
Her presence in the paint was crucial, helping the Sooners dominate the boards with a 47-34 rebounding advantage. Beers' effort anchored the interior defense and provided second-chance opportunities that proved vital in the close contest.
Sahara Williams paced the Oklahoma offense with 22 points, showcasing her scoring versatility and ability to create plays under pressure. Freshman sensation Aaliyah Chavez added 19 points in an efficient showing, while Payton Verhulst contributed 17 and Zya Vann chipped in 15.
Remarkably, all five Sooners starters reached double figures, combining for 93 points—the team's entire output from the field and beyond the arc before the free-throw parade took over late.
The game's most striking statistic came at the charity stripe: a combined 79 free-throw attempts and 53 total fouls. Oklahoma converted 36 of 46 attempts, including an impressive 19-of-23 in the fourth quarter alone, which set a Lady Vols opponent record for made free throws. Tennessee went 23-of-33 from the line. In a telling sign of how the game unfolded, the Sooners made more free throws (36) than field goals (30), relying heavily on drawing contact and capitalizing on Tennessee's aggressive defense.
The contest remained competitive from the opening tip. Tennessee (16-10, 8-6 SEC) controlled much of the first quarter and took a 22-20 lead into the second period. The Lady Vols built their largest advantage at eight points early in the second, but Oklahoma responded with a strong push. A key 12-2 run late in the half, capped by contributions from multiple players, allowed the Sooners to claim a narrow 47-45 halftime edge.
The third quarter saw more back-and-forth action, with Tennessee briefly regaining momentum through outside shooting, including back-to-back threes to start the half. However, Oklahoma outscored them 24-19 in the period to take a 71-64 lead into the final frame.
Tennessee fought back fiercely in the fourth, as Jaida Civil drained a three-pointer right at the start to trim the deficit to 71-67. The Lady Vols closed within three points shortly after, showing resilience despite the mounting fouls. But Oklahoma responded decisively, stringing together four free throws to ignite an 8-2 spurt. A layup from Williams extended the lead to 86-77 with 4:14 left.
From there, the Sooners went almost exclusively to the line, attempting only two more field goals the rest of the way and sealing the victory with their final 14 points—all from free throws.
For Tennessee, Talaysia Cooper led the way with 22 points on efficient shooting, adding four assists and defensive tenacity. Jaida Civil, the freshman standout off the bench, posted a career-best 21 points and 10 rebounds in 33 minutes for her first collegiate double-double—an impressive showing in a tough road environment. Nya Robertson added 18 points, including timely threes that kept the Lady Vols in striking distance.
The physical, whistle-filled affair highlighted the intensity of late-season SEC basketball, where every possession mattered and foul trouble shaped strategy. Oklahoma's ability to draw fouls and convert from the line ultimately decided the outcome in a game that showcased both teams' offensive firepower and competitive spirit.
UP NEXT: The Sooners continue their homestand by hosting Arkansas on Thursday before traveling to face Missouri on Sunday.