Sooners' dual-threat stars delivered double-doubles as Oklahoma's offense and defense overwhelmed Idaho in a dominant NCAA Tournament opener
NORMAN, Okla. - The No. 4 seed Oklahoma Sooners women's basketball team delivered a commanding performance in the first round of the 2026 NCAA Tournament, dismantling the No. 13 seed Idaho Vandals with an emphatic 89-59 victory on Friday night at Lloyd Noble Center.
This decisive win not only advanced the Sooners to the second round but also showcased their offensive efficiency, defensive tenacity, and depth in a game that was largely one-sided from early on.
Leading the charge for Oklahoma (25-7) were senior center Raegan Beers and guard Sahara Williams, both of whom recorded double-doubles in a dominant display.
Beers, a third-team All-American, finished with a team-high 18 points on efficient shooting, 10 rebounds, four assists, and four blocks. Her presence in the paint was instrumental in controlling the interior and disrupting Idaho's offensive rhythm.
Williams complemented her perfectly with 17 points, 10 rebounds, and a perfect 3-of-3 shooting from beyond the arc, adding two assists in just 22 minutes of play while posting a +17 plus-minus rating. This marked her 100th consecutive start, highlighting her consistency and leadership.
Supporting the duo were Aaliyah Chavez and Payton Verhulst, who each contributed significantly in their roles. Chavez, making her NCAA Tournament debut, scored 15 points on 6-of-14 shooting, grabbed six rebounds, and dished out a team-high five assists.
Verhulst added 14 points, including multiple three-pointers, helping stretch the floor.
Four Sooners reached double figures in scoring, underscoring the balanced attack that has defined Oklahoma under fifth-year head coach Jennie Baranczyk.
The Sooners burst out of the gate with one of their most efficient halves of the season, shooting 59.5% from the field while committing only four turnovers in the first half.
They limited Idaho to just 25.5% shooting, building a commanding 57-35 lead at the break. Williams had 13 points by halftime, and Verhulst chipped in 12.
The momentum carried into the second half as Oklahoma opened with an 8-1 run, featuring six points from Beers, to push the advantage to 65-36.
By the end of the third quarter, the Sooners led 76-38, with Idaho managing only three points in that frame—the fewest ever scored against Oklahoma in a tournament quarter.
Defensively, Oklahoma was stellar throughout. They held the Vandals to 24.7% shooting overall, the lowest opponent field-goal percentage in an NCAA Tournament game for the Sooners since last year's first-round effort against FGCU.
Idaho attempted a staggering 46 three-pointers, the most ever by an OU opponent in the tournament, but converted just 10 (21.7%).
In contrast, Oklahoma shot 50.7% from the field overall and dominated the glass 55-44, outscoring Idaho 38-14 in the paint. The Sooners tallied 18 assists against 14 turnovers and recorded nine blocks, their second-highest total in a tournament game.
This victory extended several impressive streaks for Oklahoma. It marked their 31st straight win against unranked opponents and improved them to 19-0 against teams outside the AP Top 25 this season.
The Sooners have not lost to an unranked foe since January 9, 2025, at Mississippi State, and this result was a Quad 2 win, pushing their streak to 39 consecutive victories in Quad 2-4 games.
Under Baranczyk, Oklahoma improved to 5-0 in NCAA Tournament first-round games and has now reached 25 wins in four of her five seasons.
For Idaho (29-6), the loss snapped an 18-game winning streak dating back to January 10. Kyra Gardner led the Vandals with 19 points, and Hope Hassmann added 12, but the team struggled to find consistent offense against Oklahoma's pressure and size.
UP NEXT: With the win, the Sooners advance to face No. 5 seed Michigan State in the second round on Sunday in Norman. The Spartans advanced with a hard-fought 65-62 victory over No. 12 seed Colorado State earlier on Friday.
A victory over Michigan State would propel Oklahoma to their 12th Sweet 16 in program history and their second in as many seasons under Baranczyk.
The 30-point margin tied for the sixth-largest in Oklahoma's NCAA Tournament history and stands as the second-largest under Baranczyk, behind only last season's 34-point win over Iowa.
This performance reaffirms the Sooners' status as a formidable contender in the Sacramento Region, blending veteran leadership from Beers and Williams with emerging talent like Chavez.