In the SEC Tournament quarterfinals on March 7, 2025, the No. 10 Oklahoma Sooners women’s basketball team overcame a 10-point second-half deficit to defeat the No. 12 Kentucky Wildcats, 69-65. Raegan Beers led the Sooners with 20 points and 11 rebounds, while Payton Verhulst contributed 16 points, including crucial back-to-back three-pointers in the third quarter that shifted the game’s momentum.
Sahara Williams also added 13 points for Oklahoma, which extended its winning streak to nine games with this victory. The Sooners’ defense played a pivotal role, limiting Kentucky’s star guard Georgia Amoore—who had previously scored a career-high 43 points against Oklahoma—to 29 points on 12-of-27 shooting.
The Wildcats struggled from beyond the arc, shooting just 4-of-23, and committed 20 turnovers. Despite leading by 10 points midway through the third quarter, Kentucky couldn’t maintain its advantage. Oklahoma capitalized on these miscues, with Verhulst’s consecutive three-pointers helping the Sooners take a 50-49 lead into the fourth quarter.
Oklahoma’s proficiency at the free-throw line was also a significant factor, as the team converted 19-of-20 attempts, including 9-of-10 in the fourth quarter. Freshman Zya Vann sealed the victory by sinking two free throws in the final seconds.
With this win, the Sooners advance to the SEC Tournament semifinals, where they will face top-seeded South Carolina, ranked fifth nationally, on Saturday at 3:30 p.m.
Oklahoma Advances to SEC Semifinals After Defeating Kentucky