Oklahoma Sooners earn 77-71 win over Michigan State Spartans

The Oklahoma Sooners trailed for most of the first half in their second-round game against the Michigan State Spartans, but turned it on after halftime to earn a hard-fought 77-71 win and advance to the Sweet 16 for the second season in a row. Four Oklahoma Sooners scored in double figures, led by 18 apiece from Raegan Beers and Aaliyah Chavez. Payton Verhulst and Zya Vann each had 12, and Sahara Williams added seven points, five rebounds, and five assists in the win.

The Sooners led 32 to 31 with just over three minutes left in the half, but the Spartans closed the period with a run to lead OU by five going into halftime. But as they've done so often this season, the Sooners played their best basketball after the break. Oklahoma opened the second half with an 8-0 run to take a 45-42 lead over the Spartans.

They'd hold that lead until the 2:52 mark fo the third when Michigan State took a 52-51 lead. But the Sooners responded with a 6-0 run to make it 57-52, and OU wouldn't surrender the lead the rest of the way. Late in the game with Oklahoma holding onto the lead, each of their key players came up with a big bucket to keep Michigan State at arms length and preserve the win.

After shooting just 39% in the first half, Oklahoma shot 47% from the field in the second half. That included a 2 of 11 mark from three. Oklahoma outrebounded the Spartans and earned a slight edge in second-chance points and fast-break points with a plus-four margin combined.