OU Women Keep Missouri Winless In Big 12 Play

News9.com

COLUMBIA, Missouri – Nobody wants to be the team that gives another team its first conference win in eight tries.

For a little while, it appeared Oklahoma might be that team.

But the Sooners rallied back from an 11-point deficit to pick up a 62-59 win against the Missouri Tigers on Saturday.

The OU victory kept the Tigers winless in the Big 12 at 0-8 (10-9 overall) while the Sooners improved to 5-3 (13-6 overall).

Oklahoma suffered from some rough shooting throughout the game at just 33 percent overall, but made up for it with an impressive inside game.

Freshman Kaylon Williams had a double-double with 11 points and 16 rebounds to lead OU. Sophomore post Nicole Griffin added 12 points and guard Morgan Hook led all Sooner scorers with 14.

"Kaylon Williams, as a true freshman, was just awesome in terms of going to get rebounds," OU coach Sherri Coale said. "She's just out there playing and trying to learn on the fly.

"The curve is just so big for those freshmen. The absence of (Joanna McFarland) has just added to the difficulty."

After battling back from a double-digit deficit, the Sooners led 31-28 at halftime, but couldn't shake the Tigers in the second.

The lead changed hands 13 times in the second half alone, and OU had to knock down a series of free throws in the end to keep Missouri winless in the Big 12.

Coale said the win could have gone a lot more smoothly, but the style of it will have a positive impact for her players.

"I know, down the road, this experience is going to be invaluable for these guys," Coale said. "They're developing a reservoir of mental toughness, an ability to make plays in tight situations."

With the win, OU brought its all-time series record against the Tigers to 28-29. The Sooners have one more chance against Missouri (Feb. 11 in Norman) to even the all-time series before the Tigers depart for the SEC.

Up next, Oklahoma will hit the road again to take on Kansas on Tuesday at 7 p.m.