Sahara Williams sets tone for OU women's basketball rout of Idaho in March Madness opener

NORMAN — With 6:12 remaining, Sahara Williams skipped to the bench. Oklahoma's junior forward wore a smile that rippled through Lloyd Noble Center, greeting each teammate with a leaping high five before finally settling into her seat. Her work was done.

“You can just see the energy and the enthusiasm that exudes from Sahara Williams,” OU coach Jennie Baranczyk said afterward. That energy has defined OU all season. The Sooners have gone as Williams has gone.

In her 100th career start, Williams powered No. 4 seed OU to an 89-59 blowout win over No. 13 seed Idaho in the first round of the NCAA Women’s Tournament, setting the tone from the opening tip.

More: Aaliyah Chavez enters first March Madness with OU basketball, but she's built for this With the win, OU advanced to the second round for the fifth consecutive season and will face No. 5 seed Michigan State on Sunday. Williams finished with 17 points and 10 rebounds, knocking down all three of her attempts from beyond the arc and logging a +17 plus-minus in just 22 minutes.