Oklahoma at Western Carolina
CULLOWHEE, N.C. (Interstat) — The Oklahoma women’s basketball team delivered a defensive masterclass, overwhelming Western Carolina in a lopsided nonconference game Sunday at the Ramsey Center.
The Sooners, now 4-1 on the season, held the Catamounts to a historically low offensive output, cruising to a 95-32 victory in front of 1,575 spectators. Western Carolina’s 32 points marked one of the lowest single-game totals in recent NCAA Division I history.
Oklahoma’s dominance was established immediately, opening the game on a 14-0 run and holding Western Carolina without a field goal for nearly the first six minutes. The Sooners led 19-5 after the first quarter and 40-17 at halftime, effectively putting the game out of reach by the intermission.
The statistical disparity was staggering. Oklahoma’s defense was suffocating, forcing 23 Catamount turnovers which they converted into 33 points. Western Carolina managed just 10 made field goals on 47 attempts, a 21.3 percent shooting performance. The Sooners also controlled the interior, outscoring the Catamounts 54-8 in the paint and grabbing 15 offensive rebounds to Western Carolina’s three.
Raegan Beers, a 6-foot-4 forward from Littleton, Colorado, led the Sooners with a double-double, scoring 21 points and grabbing 10 rebounds in just 20 minutes of action. Aaliyah Chavez of Lubbock, Texas, added 19 points, six rebounds and five assists. Zya Vann contributed 14 points and six rebounds, while Sahara Williams filled the stat sheet with seven points, seven rebounds, three assists, a steal and a block.
Western Carolina, which fell to 2-2, was led by Taj Hunter’s 12 points. Ally Hollifield added 10 points for the Catamounts, but the team struggled to find any consistent offensive rhythm against Oklahoma’s relentless pressure.
The Sooners’ offense was efficient, shooting 50.7 percent from the floor and assisting on 16 of their 37 made baskets. They also capitalized on their free-throw opportunities, making 13 of 17 from the line.
Oklahoma will look to continue its winning ways when it hosts Texas A&M-Commerce on Wednesday. Western Carolina will attempt to rebound at home against UNC Asheville, also on Wednesday.