Senior center Raegan Beers posted 18 points and 10 rebounds as No. 4 seed Oklahoma overwhelmed No. 13 seed Idaho 89-59 in the first round of the NCAA Women’s Basketball Tournament, halting the Vandals’ 18-game winning streak with a dominant offensive and defensive performance.
In a stunning display of offensive efficiency and defensive intensity, the Oklahoma Sooners dismantled the Idaho Vandals 89-59 on Friday night in the first round of the NCAA Women’s Basketball Tournament. The victory not only advanced Oklahoma to the second round but also brought an abrupt end to Idaho’s remarkable 18-game winning streak.
Balanced Attack Overwhelms Vandals
Oklahoma’s offense was a well-oiled machine, with four players reaching double figures. The scoring distribution highlighted the team’s depth:
- Raegan Beers: 18 points, 10 rebounds, 4 assists, 4 blocks
- Sahara Williams: 17 points, 10 rebounds
- Aaliyah Chavez: 15 points, 5 assists, 0 turnovers
- Payton Verhulst: 14 points
The Sooners shot an impressive 59.5% from the field in the first half and committed just four turnovers before the break, building a 57-35 lead they never relinquished.
Beers’ All-Around Dominance
Senior center Raegan Beers was the embodiment of Oklahoma’s dominance. Her stat line—18 points, 10 rebounds, four assists, four blocks—showcased a player impacting every facet of the game. “I think we’re setting the tone for how we want to play going on into March,” said Sahara Williams after the game.
Freshman Chavez Shines in March Debut
True freshman Aaliyah Chavez didn’t look overwhelmed by the March Madness spotlight. She finished with 15 points, five assists, and zero turnovers while shooting 6-for-14 from the field. Though she missed her first two free throws, she settled in and maintained her elite accuracy—she entered the night shooting 94% from the line overall this season, including 70 of 72 in SEC play.
Layup Discrepancy Tells the Story
The numbers inside the arc were brutally lopsided: Oklahoma made 15 of 21 layups; Idaho managed just 4 of 19. Beers was a major factor, converting five of her six layup attempts and protecting the rim with four blocks. This interior dominance forced the Vandals into contested perimeter shots, resulting in a field-goal percentage of 24.7% and a 10-for-46 night from three-point range.
Idaho’s Fight and Fan Support
Despite the loss, Idaho’s season was historic. The Vandals (29-6) had not lost since Jan. 10. Senior guard Hope Hassmann scored 12 points and reflected on the unique atmosphere created by fans who traveled after watching the Idaho men’s team fall 78-47 to Houston earlier in the day, according to AP. That loss did not deter the women’s supporters, who packed the stands in Norman.
“Just to be in the Idaho section was so cool,” Hassmann said. “And then also to see those fans travel here today — kind of had our own Idaho section, which was super cool to hear them cheer for us and our band and cheerleaders.”
Next Up: Michigan State
Now Oklahoma (25-7) shifts focus to a second-round showdown with No. 5 seed Michigan State on Sunday. The Spartans earned their spot with a hard-fought 65-62 victory over No. 12 Colorado State, as reported by AP. Michigan State presents another tough test, but the Sooners’ performance suggests they are peaking at the right moment.
Idaho coach Arthur Moreira offered high praise for the victors: “They’re just a complete team. I think they’re equipped to make a big run here. As I was scouting them, it was fun to watch.”
For Oklahoma, the message is clear: when they play with fun and energy, they are nearly unstoppable. “When we have fun, I wouldn’t say a win is guaranteed, but we play a lot better when we have fun and have a smile on our face and we rebound and we score and we assist the ball,” Williams noted.
With their first-round statement complete, the Sooners now aim for a deeper tournament run, fueled by senior leadership and freshman firepower.
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