Oklahoma had hoped for a break after a tough stretch of games against top-ranked opponents, but the Sooners faced another challenge on Sunday. They found themselves in a tight battle against Auburn, which pushed them to the limit before Oklahoma managed to pull off a 72-65 victory on the road.

The game was a back-and-forth affair, with Oklahoma leading by 10 points in the third quarter. However, Auburn made a strong push in the fourth, tying the game twice. The decisive moment came late when Sahara Williams hit a layup that sparked a six-point run from the Sooners in the final two minutes, helping them gain the necessary separation.

Since suffering three consecutive losses, Oklahoma has rebounded with two straight wins, including an upset over No. 2 South Carolina on Thursday. This win improved their overall record to 16-4 and their SEC record to 4-3.

Aaliyah Chavez was the standout performer for the Sooners, scoring 18 points. Sahara Williams and Raegan Beers each added 13 points, while Brooklyn Stewart contributed 12 points.

Here are three key takeaways from the game:

Brooklyn Stewart Continues to Show Growth

Brooklyn Stewart entered the season with high expectations, and her performance on Sunday highlighted her continued development. While Aaliyah Chavez received much of the attention, Stewart played a crucial role as a key member of Jennie Baranczyk’s recruiting class.

Stewart has been coming off the bench all season, but her role has gradually expanded. Baranczyk used Stewart and Beers together on the court at times, and the duo proved effective on both ends of the floor.

Stewart finished the game with a season-high 12 points, shooting 5 of 9 from the field. She also tied her season high in rebounds with eight and added four assists.

Sahara Williams Struggles With Foul Trouble, Comes up Big

Sahara Williams faced foul trouble early in the game, picking up her third foul less than four minutes into the third quarter. Despite this, Baranczyk decided to keep her on the court. It didn’t take long for Williams to make an impact, scoring a crucial jumper just 30 seconds after the foul.

Williams took a feed in the lane, turned, and drained a fadeaway shot. She then blew a kiss toward the basket as the ball went through, drawing a technical foul and sending her to the bench. She didn’t return until more than three minutes into the fourth quarter.

Her earlier shot gave the Sooners a 10-point lead, but when she came back, the lead was only five points. Despite the foul trouble, Williams made several critical plays down the stretch, finishing with nine rebounds, three assists, and three steals.

Aaliyah Chavez Caught Fire in OT to Deliver Oklahoma a Signature Win

While the game wasn’t decided in overtime, Chavez’s performance was instrumental in securing the win. Her ability to step up in crucial moments has become a defining trait for the Sooners.

Sooners Still Have Plenty Ahead of Them

Oklahoma’s journey through the season has been anything but easy. The team has faced tough competition and has had to overcome setbacks. However, their recent wins show they are capable of competing with the best teams in the conference.

Sooners Jump Out to Quick Lead

The game started with Oklahoma struggling from the field, hitting just three of their first 10 shots. However, Auburn was even worse, and the Sooners capitalized by forcing six first-quarter turnovers.

OU scored the final five points of the opening quarter to take a 19-12 lead. But instead of maintaining their momentum, Oklahoma allowed Auburn to come back quickly in the second quarter.

It took back-to-back layups by Williams in the final minute to give the Sooners a 35-30 lead at halftime.