FGCU vs. Oklahoma in first round of NCAA Women's March Madness: Eagles come up short in Norman
Alex MartinThe FGCU women's basketball team came up short on the road in Norman, as a fourth quarter burst from the Sooners led to a 81-58 win. Oklahoma will advance to take on Iowa for the chance to play in the Sweet Sixteen.
All time, 14 seeds are now 0-122 in the first round of the NCAA Women's Tournament following the Eagles loss.
FGCU (30-4, 18-0) got down early but never was able to fully come back, once missing 19 of their last 20 shots in the first half. But Oklahoma's rushed shots throughout gave the Eagles a chance to get within two possessions multiple times after once trailing by 19 early on.
The Sooners beat the Eagles 73-70 in the first round of last year's tournament, a 5 vs. 12 seed matchup, with that game played in Bloomington, Ind. But Saturday's outcome was far from the outcome that took place, despite a few scares from FGCU.
Skylar Vann and Raegan Beers combined for 49 points and 27 rebounds for Oklahoma. Dolly Cairns led FGCU with 15 points, while Emani Jefferson finished with 12, a handful of which came in garbage time.
On the glass, the Sooners set a new NCAA Tournament rebounding record, outrebounding the Eagles 72-35.
Raegan Beers, Oklahoma starting to pull away
The Oregon State transfer has been outstanding in this fourth quarter, as the Sooners lead by 22 late in this one. Oklahoma's finally reasserted its will, finishing inside offensively.
Oklahoma trying to close the door on FGCU
A two-point shot inside from Skylar Vann, who torched the Eagles last year, gives the Sooners a 10-point lead. The fifth-year senior has 24 points for OU thus far. Emani Jefferson checks back in for the first time in nearly 12 minutes of action.
FGCU within single digits to start fourth quarter
The Eagles have somehow kept Raegan Beers in check on the offensive glass, as the Oregon State transfer shot 1 of 4 from the field in the quarter. FGCU only trails 55-48 in Norman, with Emani Jefferson set to check back in with four fouls.
Oklahoma regains mid double digit lead in third
The Sooners have played solid basketball after a sluggish second, and now lead by 16 at the 4:55 mark of the third. Emani Jefferson remains on the bench for FGCU.
Emani Jefferson picks up fourth foul one minute into second half
After missing a bunny inside, the two-time ASUN Player of the Year hit the deck and was whistled for an incidental tripping call that probably could've been avoided. It remains to be seen how long Jefferson will be out for as FGCU trails by 14.
Oklahoma lets FGCU get within single digits, but holds halftime lead
The Sooners played a pretty ugly second quarter, shooting just 4 of 18 from the field. FGCU wasn't much better at 3 of 13, but made all six free throws in the frame. The rebounding edge was even in the second quarter, 10-all.
FGCU in position to go on 7-0 run pending free throws
The Eagles continue to fight, as Emani Jefferson will aim for her first points in this one after an 0 for 4 start from the field. Dolly Cairns has been the lone constant, scoring 9 of FGCU's 15 points. Sooners lead, 31-17 at the under-5.
Sooners continue dominance with 21-3 run
Oklahoma continues to exploit FGCU's size with a solid inside-out game that's seen Raegan Beers finish on back-to-back buckets. The Sooners have their largest lead of the game at 28-12, while FGCU's 3 of 16 from distance and 1 of 9 inside.
Abysmal shooting quarter leads to 9-point first quarter lead for Oklahoma
The Eagles missed 13 shots in a row, leading to an abysmal shooting percentage of 16.6 percent (4 of 24). Outside of Cairns and Cerina Rolle, the Eagles are a combined 0 of 17 from the field. The Sooners lead 21-12 as Raegan Beers continues to make an impact on the offensive and defensive glass. OU holds a 17-7 rebounding edge on the glass.
FGCU going cold, OU starting to find footing
The Eagles have made just 1 of their last 7 field goal tries, but have forced three Oklahoma turnovers, in part because the Sooners are trying to play fast. FGCU has played somewhat of a strong interior defense in the paint thus far, as Oklahoma has attempted upwards of 75 percent of their shots from inside the paint. The Sooners lead 12-9 at the under-5 media timeout.
Sooners attacking hard inside, Eagles get 3-point play
So far, Oklahoma's game plan has been to attack the interior of FGCU, which got a few defensive stops before Raegan Beers got the Sooners on the board. Dolly Cairns opened the scoring with a 3-point play. OU leads 4-3 with 8:00 in the first.
Starters for FGCU, Oklahoma announced
- FGCU: Emani Jefferson, Cerina Rolle, Dolly Cairns, Khamari Mitchell-Steen, Lauryn Taylor
- Oklahoma: Reyna Scott, Sahara Williams, Payton Verhulst, Skylar Vann, Raegan Beers
FGCU basketball vs. Oklahoma game time today
- Date: Saturday, March 22
- Time: 2:30 p.m.
- Location: Lloyd Noble Center (10,967), Norman, Okla.
What channel is FGCU basketball vs. Oklahoma game on today?
- TV Channel: ESPNU
- Streaming:Watch ESPN, FUBO (free trial)
FGCU basketball vs. Oklahoma prediction
Oklahoma 72, FGCU 55: Expect this one to hover right around the spread in most sportsbooks, with the Sooners handling business in the first round at home. While FGCU has notably been very good in the first round of the tournament in previous years, this Eagles team is not as good analytically and statistically as the ones that made the NCAA Tournament under Karl Smesko. Expect Raegan Beers and Payton Verhulst to control things offensively for Jennie Baranczyk's team, while Emani Jefferson looks to keep FGCU within striking distance.
FGCU basketball vs. Oklahoma betting odds
Game lines and odds from Hard Rock Bet as of Saturday afternoon:
- Spread: Oklahoma -15.5
- Over/under: 145.5
- Moneyline: Oklahoma -1800, FGCU +900
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