by (Photo via AC Media)
NORMAN, Okla. (AP) — Skylar Vann scored 21 points to help Oklahoma beat No. 2 Kansas State 66-63 on Wednesday night and end the Wildcats’ 14-game winning streak.
Lexy Keys and Aubrey Joens each added 10 points for Oklahoma (14-6, 8-1 Big 12), which outscored the Wildcats 15-10 in the final quarter even though the Sooners were held without a field goal for the game’s final 3:04.
“What a great game for not just women’s basketball, obviously, but the Big 12 conference,” Oklahoma coach Jennie Baranczyk said. “Kansas State is obviously a very good basketball team … and I’m continually impressed by the poise that we had in that fourth quarter and how much growth this team has actually had and it’s been really fun to watch.”
The Sooners win was its first over a team ranked inside the top two in nearly 20 years, as OU’s last top-two victory came over then-No. 2 Texas on March 13, 2004, in the Big 12 championship game.
The game was tied at 59 with 4:09 left before Vann hit consecutive baskets. Her last one was the Sooners’ final one of the game.
Neither team scored again until Sahara Williams made the second of two free throws with 39 seconds left.
Brylee Glenn then scored to get Kansas State within 64-61 with 28 seconds left. After Keys hit one of of two from the foul line, Serena Sundell hit a basket with 8 seconds remaining to make it 65-63.
Nevaeh Tot was then fouled and hit only one free throw giving the Wildcats one more chance. Sundell’s 3-pointer just before the buzzer was off.
“Heck of a game, we just came up on the short end,” Kansas State coach Jeff Mittie said. “I thought our group did some things really well tonight, but I thought OU really made some big plays in that fourth quarter. We just didn’t have an answer for Vann down low.”
Gisela Sanchez scored 18 points and Sundell added 15 points and 10 rebounds for the Wildcats (20-2, 9-1), who were looking to set a school record for consecutive wins in conference play.
Kansas State’s only other loss this season came against then-No. 5 Iowa on Nov. 26. The Wildcats beat Oklahoma 74-57 on Jan. 10 to hand the Sooners their only conference loss to dat.
The Wildcats scored the game’s first seven points — five by Sanchez — and led 16-14 after one quarter. Oklahoma took its first lead on a 3-pointer by Keys early in the second and extended it to 19-16 on a layup by Sahara Williams. The game was tied 33-all at halftime.
