The Oklahoma and Michigan women's basketball teams entered the Jumpman Invitational with the same record, but not anymore.
The Sooners beat No. 20 Michigan 72-62 on Tuesday night in a top-20 matchup that was part of the Jumpman Invitational in Charlotte, North Carolina. As No. 10 OU reached double-digit wins at 10-1, the Wolverines' loss total double at 9-2.
OU had only a narrow two-point lead when the fourth quarter started, but then outscored Michigan 22-15 in the final frame to notch the Sooners' third double-digit win in a row. The 22 points in the fourth was the most the Sooners scored in a quarter during the game.
Game MVP: Payton Verhulst
Payton Verhulst stuffed the shat sheet in every way Tuesday night.
Verhulst, a senior averaging 13 points so far this season, tied with Skylar Vann for a team-high 12 points. But Verhulst also contributed in every other way, not just scoring. She also recorded four rebounds, three steals, two blocks and an assist in the win.
This is Verhulst's second season with OU after transferring from Louisville. Last season, she was named Big 12 Newcomer of the Year after averaging 12.6 points in her first go as a Sooner.
Play of the game
Up eight and trying to put things away in the fourth quarter, Skylar Vann drained a 3 for an early dagger that put her team ahead by 11 points.
Number to know: 4
Yes, Payton Verhulst was deemed Game MVP, but a case could have been made for almost any Sooner on Tuesday night.
Four OU players scored double digits in the win: Verhulst (12), Skylar Vann (12), Lexy Keys (11) and Sahara Williams (10). Raegan Beers was just a make shy of reaching the mark at nine points, but she did reach double-digits elsewhere with a team-high 10 rebounds.
What's next
Tuesday night against Michigan was the Sooners' toughest task until SEC play tips off after the new year.
Next, OU will host Omaha (7-4) at 3 p.m. Sunday. A week from then, the Sooners will stay home to finish the calendar year against New Mexico State at 4 p.m. Dec. 29.