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    Oklahoma women's basketball beats Vanderbilt 101-81 | Sports
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    Oklahoma women’s basketball beats Vanderbilt 101-81 | Sports

    No. 16 Oklahoma (20-6 8-5 SEC) defeated Vanderbilt (19-8, 6-7 SEC) 101-81 Thursday at the Lloyd Noble Center.

    Here are three takeaways from tonight’s win: 

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    Raining Threes

    Oklahoma sank threes throughout the entire game. In the first quarter, OU made five of 12 three-point attempts. During the rest of the game, Oklahoma continued to slowly increase that number.

    On Sunday against Missouri, Oklahoma shot 36% from within the range, making nine of 25 three-point attempts. Against Vanderbilt, the Sooners improved, making 12 of 30 three point attempts, shooting 40% from within the range.

    Four Sooners were able to make a three pointer on Sunday against the Commodores. Redshirt senior guard Lexy Keys made two of six attempts. Sophomore forward Sahara Williams and freshman guard Zya Vann made three, while senior guard Payton Verhulst had four three pointers.

    Extra size in the paint

    Throughout the season, Oklahoma has used junior center Raegan Beers to add to its paint protection. In the first quarter against the Commodores, head coach Jennie Baranczyk decided to put junior center Beatrice Culliton on the floor alongside Beers. This is not the first time Baranczyk has put multiple centers in at the same time. Earlier in the season, Culliton and redshirt senior center/forward Liz Scott were on the floor together.

    “I thought Beatrice was really great. She’s been providing so much energy,” Baranczyk said. “When Raegan was out, I think Beatrice really stood up. She didn’t try to become Raegan; she just tried to become a better version of herself and just show up and know that.”

    The pair added protection inside and around the paint, forcing Vanderbilt to shoot from outside. In total, Vanderbilt was only able to make four of 12 layups and 12 points in the paint. Beers and Culliton had a combined total of 33 points, 17 rebounds and six assists. Beers had 30 points, making it not only a career-high but her eighth time to achieve at least 20 points in a game and her tenth double-double of the season. 

    Key player: Zya Vann 

    Freshman guard Zya Vann was electric on Thursday. Against the Commodores, the freshman showed out being one of the Sooners’ top scorers.

    While on the floor, Vann fought her way in between the net and the ball. The guard had one block and one steal keeping the Commodores offense from scoring. Vann was perfect within the three-point range, shooting three for three. She was one of four Sooners to sink a three pointer.

    The freshman moved the ball and put her teammates in good positions. When a defender got in her path, Vann found a way to get around them and add points to the board. Vann finished her night with 16 points, one rebound and four assists. This is Vann’s eighth double-digit game this season. 

    “I think early on in the season, she had some good moments. She has some freshman moments. She had some games where she was in some foul trouble, and that can kind of mess with somebody,” Baranczyk said. “I think in the last two games, she’s really done a phenomenal job of mixing up when she needs to shoot it, when she needs to pass it, but her defense has been pretty consistent.”

    Next, the Sooners will travel to Fayetteville to play Arkansas (9-19, 2-11 SEC) at 2 p.m. on Sunday at Bud Walton Arena on SEC Network+.

    What channel is Oklahoma vs. Vanderbilt on today? 

    TV channel: SEC Network+

    Start time: 6 p.m.

    Location: Lloyd Noble Center

    Notes: Due to the icy roads, tonight’s game is fan appreciation night. All fans will get free admission to the game.

    Oklahoma women’s basketball schedule 

    Nov. 4: Oklahoma 76, Southern 44

    Nov. 8: Oklahoma 95, Virginia 51

    Nov. 13: Oklahoma 122, Western Carolina 56

    Nov. 19: Oklahoma 79, Wichita State 49

    Nov. 22: Oklahoma 88, UNLV 58

    Nov. 25: Oklahoma 85, DePaul 62

    Nov. 27: Duke 109, Oklahoma 99

    Dec. 4: Oklahoma 78, Louisville 72

    Dec. 8: Oklahoma 110, Alabama State 46

    Dec. 15: Oklahoma 94, Oral Roberts 54

    Dec. 17: Oklahoma 72, Michigan 62

    Dec. 22: Oklahoma 111, Omaha 65

    Dec. 29: Oklahoma 82, New Mexico State 64

    Jan. 2: Texas 80, Oklahoma 73

    Jan. 5: Oklahoma 87, Tennessee 86

    Jan. 9: Mississippi State 81, Oklahoma 77

    Jan. 12: Oklahoma 77, Texas A&M 62

    Jan. 16: Oklahoma 80, Missouri 63

    Jan. 19: South Carolina 101, Oklahoma 60

    Jan. 26: Oklahoma 86, Georgia 55

    Jan. 30: LSU 107, Oklahoma 100

    Feb. 2: Kentucky 95, Oklahoma 86

    Feb. 6: Oklahoma 66, Mississippi 56

    Feb. 10: Oklahoma 73, Auburn 71

    Feb. 16: Oklahoma 82, Missouri 66

    Feb. 20: vs. Vanderbilt at 6 p.m. (TV: SEC Network)

    Feb. 23: at Arkansas at 2 p.m. (TV: SEC Network)

    Feb. 27: at Florida at 6 p.m. (TV: SEC Network)

    March 2: vs. Alabama at 1:30 p.m. (TV: SEC Network)

    This story was edited by Josh McDaniel.

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