Sooners women route Rogers State
NORMAN, Okla. (BVM) – The Oklahoma Sooners women’s basketball squad kicked off the season in fashion on Halloween with a convincing 93-23 exhibition win over Rogers State University.
It was an overall impressive debut for new head coach Jenny Barancyzk as her Sooners played a complete and composed game on Sunday.
Baranczyk, formerly of Drake, is no stranger to winning ways, as she and the Bulldogs qualified for three straight NCAA tournaments from 2017-19, and posted a 22-8 record in 2020’s COVID-19 season.
On an important day for the program and Baranczyk alike after legend Sherri Coale’s retirement, the Sooners did not disappoint the Norman faithful. It would be the first time since 1995-96 that Coale wouldn’t be calling the shots.
Oklahoma set the tone early, jumping out to a quick 27-7 lead to end the first quarter. The Sooners defense allowed no breathing room to Rogers State in the opening frame as the Hillcats were held to a mere 3-19 shooting from the field.
Ana Llanusa and Taylor Robertson each contributed to many of the early scoring from OU, as the two helped boost Oklahoma to a commanding lead. Senior star Madi Williams also helped to quiet the ‘Cats with a steal-n-score.
The second quarter was no different from the first as Oklahoma continued to suffocate Rogers State’s offense. The Hillcats only managed a two point quarter heading into the locker room. Allowing only one of 16 shots to fall, the Sooners showed out with an unbelievable opposing field goal percentage of 6.25 in the second frame.
The immediate surge of scoring and defensive stops are critical to the Sooners who need to build some rhythm headed into the regular season. Last year, it took a while for Oklahoma to begin rolling, so it’s even more impressive Baranczyk and the squad started so hot.
Though the game was much out of hand by the second half, that didn’t stop Oklahoma’s stifling game plan.
The Sooners saw involvement from the entire team as the bench put up 42 points including double digit scoring from Kennady Tucker and Skylar Vann.
Another bright spot in Norman is local freshman Kelbie Washington, who tallied four points and seven assists in her first contest with the Sooners. Washington, who led Norman High School to back-to-back state championships with current OU assistant Michael Neal. The local talent is already showing an impact bringing her hometown roots to the 2021-22 Sooners squad.
More freshman involvement was seen from 6-foot-3 center Emma Svoboda who picked up eight defensive rebounds off the bench in her debut.
The Sooners also held their own from the charity stripe shooting 15-17 from the line, including one hundred percent accuracy from the starters.
“It felt good to get back into the swing of things with a good opening win,” says senior Madi Williams. “We are finally starting to click on all accounts and it feels really nice.”
The Sooners dominated every aspect of this game, winning each individual quarter by at least 12 points.
Though Jennie Baranczyk’s debut in Norman did not disappoint, there is still plenty of preparation left to go for the Sooners before they can feel accomplished.
“We just gotta keep working and soon enough our true game will show,” says Williams.
Last season, Oklahoma finished with a 12-12 overall record, but the Sooners are grinding everyday to improve upon that mark this year.
Oklahoma’s season opener will commence on Nov. 9 on the road at South Dakota.
