Sooners Survive Foul Fest Against No. 25 Gonzaga

College basketball instituted several new rules this season, designed to speed up the game and increase offensive productivity. With any new thing comes an adjustment period and with these new rules, that meant lots and lots of fouls as players adjust to the new rules and learn to play defense again.

No. 11 Oklahoma faced their first real adjustment period of the season, defeating No. 25 Gonzaga, 82-78, in a game that featured more whistles than, well, there were a lot of fouls—54 to be exact.

With the win, the Sooners advanced to the championship game of the Preseason Women's NIT to take on No. 5 Louisville. The game will take place at 3 p.m. Sunday afternoon in Norman.

The two teams combined to shoot 75 free throws. The Sooners had a huge advantage in that department, hitting 34-of-49 from the charity stripe while the Zags hit 18-of-26.

Aaryn Ellenberg hit a fadeaway jumper with 1:55 left to break a 78-all tie and give the Sooners their first lead since her 3-pointer gave OU a 59-58 lead with 12:29 remaining in the game. Nicole Griffin had tied the game with a three-point play with 3:04 left in the game. On that same play, OU point guard Morgan Hook went down with a left ankle injury and did not return. Hook missed time in the preseason with a dislocated right thumb.

It was two free throws—one each from Ellenberg and Kaylon Williams—in the last 22 seconds that sealed the game for the Sooners.

Ellenberg led the Sooners with 21 points while Williams came off the bench for 14 points and nine rebounds. Sharane Campbell had 13 points, while Nicole Griffin had 12 points and nine boards of her own.

Haiden Palmer led three Gonzaga players in double figures with 19 points. Keani Albanez had 10 points while Lindsay Sherbert chipped in 14 and 12 rebounds off the bench.

Neither team led by more than five points in a game that featured 14 ties and 21 lead changes.