OU WBB : Sooners Advance To Quarterfinals, Beat OSU 61-43

After getting swept by the Oklahoma State Cowgirls in the regular season, many didn't think the Sooners were going to win the first round match up in the Big 12 Tournament. But Oklahoma's bench came up big and produced 34 points and the Sooners defeated the Cowgirls, 61-43 on Saturday morning in Oklahoma City. Oklahoma was the fifth seed and OSU was the fourth seed in the tournament, with the winner likely to face Baylor tomorrow. The Sooners never allowed Oklahoma State to get in a rhythm offensively, and held them to 14 or less in every single quarter.

Derica Wyatt went 5/5 from the field, including three three-pointers, to score 13 points for Oklahoma. Vionise Pierre-Louis had 16 points off the bench for Oklahoma and 15 rebounds. The sixth man of the year for the Big 12 conference didn't disappoint, and if Oklahoma has any chance of beating Baylor on Sunday then it'll take a big game from her to make it happen.

The Sooners didn't get their typical production from their starting five, but good tournament teams have depth and that's what they displayed today. It may not be enough to win the Big 12 tournament, but it's certainly enough to help the Sooners make a run at a possible Sweet 16 appearance. Sherri Coale has made it that far nine times in 19 seasons with Oklahoma, and making one this year would make it once every two years for the longtime head coach.

Oklahoma will play the winner of the Baylor/Texas Tech game tomorrow at 1:30 CT.