SACRAMENTO, CALIF. – Although the Sooners came up short in their 73-59 loss to UCLA in Sacramento on Monday night, there’s a lot to like about Jennie Baranczyk’s squad.

First-Team All-SEC selection from last season Raegan Beers has picked up right where she left off. Beers was a force in multiple ways during the 2024-25 season, but she specifically displayed her ability to own the glass.

Beers finished the night with seven points and 14 rebounds, and her effort continued to keep the Sooners in the game. She left the game in the fourth quarter with a knee injury but walked off on her own power, returning moments later.

We also have to talk about redshirt senior guard Payton Verhulst. Verhulst has been a constant for the Sooners over the last couple of seasons as both an All-SEC and All-Big 12 selection.

It wasn’t going to be easy for Verhulst to get the offense going, facing a stiff UCLA defense, but she delivered with 16 points.

UCLA made the Women’s Final Four last season, and their defense was a big reason why. While Verhulst held her own, the Bruins held the Sooners to 30.7% shooting from the field.

Last year, she averaged a career-high 14.9 points per game, shooting 42% from the field and 35% from deep. She was one of only two players nationally to average at least 14.5 points, 4.5 rebounds, and 3.9 assists in under 30 minutes per game.

The Sooners will need Verhulst at times to be a spark of instant offense, helping them in close games.Monday night was also the national debut for freshman Aliyah Chavez. The former five-star recruit comes to Oklahoma after being named the Gatorade, Naismith, and MaxPreps National Player of the Year last season.

It was a night to forget for Chavez, as she struggled from the field, shooting just 25%. Chavez was limited to 11 points.

The silver lining for Chavez? There’s nowhere to go but up from here. Chavez had 16 points in the first game last week against Belmont, so there’s no cause for concern at this point just yet.

Monday’s opponent in UCLA was arguably just as good as any team Oklahoma will face all season, and they didn’t back down.

Baranczyk’s team is well-coached. There’s every reason to think that this team is just getting started and that their best basketball is still ahead.

UP NEXT: The Sooners have a quick turnaround, as they’ll head home for a matchup on Wednesday against Kansas City (formerly known as UMKC). Tip-off from the Lloyd Noble Center is set for 8 p.m. CT on the SEC Network.