Balanced scoring, frenzied defense and dominant rebounding fueled No. 13 Oklahoma to an 89-65 victory over Florida on Thursday night in Gainesville.

“We started the fourth quarter on a pretty big run,” OU coach Jennie Baranczyk said on the postgame radio show. “Really proud of that, because that’s where you want to be playing your best. But I love the balance that we have right now, and I love the fun that we’re having.”

Six Sooners scored in double figures, led by Payton Verhulst’s 17 and Raegan Beers’ 16. Sahara Williams had 11 points and nine rebounds, Skylar Vann had 13 points and four steals, Liz Scott had 11 points, seven rebounds and three assists, and Zya Vann had 10 points, three assists, two steals and a block.

Verhulst also had seven rebounds, three assists and three steals to pace the Sooners’ efforts.

Zaya Vann hit a 3 to give OU a 64-49 lead at the end the third quarter, and the Sooners went on a 21-7 run that was fueled by 3-pointers by Skylar Vann, Scott, Liz Allen and Lexi Keys.

OU won its sixth game in a row to improve to 22-6 overall and 10-5 in Southeastern Conference play, while the Gators fell to 14-15 and 5-10.

Nevaeh Tot played in her 151st career game on Thursday, breaking Taylor Robertson’s school record for career games played. The Columbus, OH, product has won 107 games at Oklahoma, tied with Skylar Vann for the fifth most in program history.

It was OU’s third straight 20-point victory and 13th of the season. 

“It’s one of those games that I just love the depth that we have,” Baranczyk said. “That’s, again, the nice thing is that everybody got in, everybody contributed everybody, you know, played really hard — but everyone practiced this hard every day, so when we do that, it’s really nice to be able to get those game minutes.”

Oklahoma came into Thursday ranked No. 5 in the nation in scoring offense and has surpassed 80 points in four consecutive games. OU is now 67-5 under coach Jennie Baranczyk when scoring 80 or more, and 20-0 this season when holding their opponent under 80. 

Florida led by a point late in the first quarter, but the Sooners pulled away to a 44-32 lead at halftime and then outscored the Gators 45-33 in the second half. OU led by as many as 30 in the fourth quarter thanks to a 36-24 advantage in the paint, a 21-7 edge in fast-break points and a 13-4 lead on second-chance points.

Earlier Thursday, Oklahoma was tabbed as the NCAA Selection Committee’s No. 13 overall team in its final reveal before Selection Sunday. As the top No. 4 seed, Oklahoma would host first- and second-round games of the NCAA Tournament if selections were made today.

OU hosts No. 20 Alabama (22-6, 9-5 SEC) at Lloyd Noble Center on Sunday at 1:30 p.m. in a critical matchup for seeding at the SEC Tournament. Oklahoma, due to Kentucky’s win over Tennessee on Thursday, is locked into seeds Nos. 5-8 as the Wildcats are guaranteed a top-four spot in Greenville.

Oklahomans cannot afford to stay silent on this issue. We must urge our representatives in Congress to reject these devastating cuts and protect Medicaid.

In a move that threatens to upend the lives of millions of Americans, Congress is poised to slash $800 billion from Medicaid. For Oklahomans, this decision is not just a political abstraction — it is a direct attack on the health and well-being of our state’s most vulnerable populations. These cuts will have far-reaching consequences, disproportionately affecting low-income families, children, seniors and individuals with disabilities. As a state that has only recently embraced Medicaid expansion, Oklahoma cannot afford to go backward. Congress must reconsider this reckless decision before it inflicts irreversible harm.

Medicaid is a lifeline for nearly 1 in 4 Oklahomans, providing essential health care services to those who would otherwise go without. The program covers prenatal care for expectant mothers, routine check-ups for children and long-term care for seniors and people with disabilities. It also supports rural hospitals, many of which are already teetering on the brink of financial collapse. Cutting $800 billion from Medicaid would force Oklahoma to make impossible choices: reduce coverage, slash benefits, or impose stricter eligibility requirements. No matter the approach, the result will be the same — more Oklahomans will suffer.

Medicaid cuts will impact rural communities, children and seniors

Oklahoma’s rural hospitals rely heavily on Medicaid reimbursements to keep their doors open. According to the Center for Healthcare Quality and Payment Report, 30% of Oklahoma’s rural hospitals are at immediate risk of closing. If Congress moves forward with these cuts, many of these facilities will be forced to shut down, leaving entire communities without access to emergency care, maternity services, or basic medical treatment. For rural Oklahomans, this isn’t just an inconvenience — it’s a matter of life and death.

Children will also bear the brunt of these cuts. Medicaid covers nearly half of all children in Oklahoma, ensuring they have access to vaccines, doctor visits and treatments for chronic conditions. When children lose access to health care, the consequences extend far beyond their immediate health. Studies show that children without adequate health care are more likely to struggle in school, miss days due to illness, and face long-term health challenges. By cutting Medicaid, Congress is jeopardizing the future of an entire generation of Oklahomans.

Seniors and individuals with disabilities will also face dire consequences. Medicaid is the primary payer for long-term care in the United States, covering nursing home stays and in-home care services for millions of elderly and disabled Americans. In Oklahoma, where the population is aging and rates of disability are higher than the national average, these cuts could force families to make heart-wrenching decisions about how to care for their loved ones. Many will be left with no choice but to shoulder the financial burden themselves, pushing them into poverty.

More: Oklahoma lawmakers should not restrict access to birth control medications | Opinion

It’s worth noting that Oklahoma only recently expanded Medicaid under the Affordable Care Act, after years of resistance from state leaders. The expansion, which took effect in 2021, has already proven transformative, providing coverage to more than 200,000 low-income adults. These individuals now have access to preventive care, mental health services, and treatment for chronic conditions — services that were previously out of reach. Congress’ proposed cuts would undermine this progress, leaving thousands of Oklahomans once again uninsured and untreated.

Proponents of the cuts argue that they are necessary to reduce the federal deficit, but this reasoning is both shortsighted and cruel. Slashing Medicaid will not solve the nation’s fiscal challenges; it will only shift the burden onto states and families, exacerbating poverty and inequality. Moreover, the economic ripple effects will be profound. Healthier populations are more productive, and thriving hospitals create jobs. By gutting Medicaid, Congress is not only harming individuals — it is undermining the broader economy.

Opinion: Oklahoma doesn’t have enough pharmacists. That’s a public health issue.

Oklahomans cannot afford to stay silent on this issue. We must urge our representatives in Congress to reject these devastating cuts and protect Medicaid. For too many in our state, this program is not a luxury — it is a necessity. Cutting $800 billion from Medicaid is not just bad policy; it is a moral failure. Congress must prioritize the health and dignity of its citizens over political expediency. The lives of Oklahomans depend on it.

Jena Nelson is director of programs for the Oklahoma Faith Network.

The U.S. Supreme Court overturned Richard Glossip’s most recent conviction Friday, leaving the Oklahoma County district attorney to decide whether to try him a third time for the 1997 murder of Barry Van Treese.

Decades-long case history

Glossip, who has been on death row since 1997, was convicted twice of paying Justin Sneed to kill Van Treese, the owner of the motel where Glossip worked. Sneed, who was given a lesser sentence in exchange for his testimony, was the key witness in both trials.

An appeals court overturned Glossip’s first conviction in 2001 due to ineffective counsel. He was convicted again in 2004 and sentenced to death. Over the years, his execution was delayed multiple times, including stays from former Gov. Mary Fallin in 2014 and 2015 due to lethal injection drug concerns, and from Gov. Kevin Stitt in 2022 while new evidence was reviewed.

In 2023, Attorney General Gentner Drummond ordered an independent review of the case, citing evidence that Oklahoma County prosecutors had failed to disclose. A state appeals court upheld Glossip’s conviction later that year, and his clemency request was denied. The U.S. Supreme Court then put his May 2023 execution on hold, heard oral arguments in October, and ruled 5-3 Tuesday to overturn his conviction.

Legal expert and family reactions

Longtime criminal defense attorney Irven Box, who has followed the case for years, said a retrial may be difficult because the main witness, Justin Sneed, has died.

“I think zero odds they’ll retry this case,” Box said. “They could use the transcript from the prior trial, but the main witness is deceased.”

Barry Van Treese’s son, Derek Van Treese, issued a statement saying, in part: “For the last 10,276 days, we’ve been waiting for justice. The family remains confident that when that new trial is held, the jury will return the same verdict as in the first two trials—guilty of first-degree murder.”

Box suggested prosecutors might opt for a lesser charge to resolve the case quickly.

“My opinion is in the next days, weeks, or months, they’ll bring him back to court, reduce the charge—maybe to a lesser charge like murder or manslaughter—give him time credit for the years he’s been in prison, and then I think he’ll be released,” Box said.

The Van Treese family has stated they want the case pursued as a death penalty case and do not want the DA to seek a lesser charge.

Next steps for Glossip

Glossip’s wife, Leah Rogers, said they were overcome with emotion when they received the Supreme Court’s decision over the phone Friday morning. The couple married inside the state penitentiary in 2022.

The Death Penalty Information Center said Glossip could become the 201st U.S. prisoner exonerated from death row if he is not convicted again. Eleven former Oklahoma death row inmates have been acquitted or had their charges dismissed, including Glenn Simmons, who was freed in 2023 after prosecutors found key evidence was withheld in his case.

Oklahoma County District Attorney Vicki Behenna will now decide whether to refile charges. In a statement, Behenna said she has discussed the ruling with Drummond and will review the opinion before determining the next steps.

🔹 Richard Glossip Legal Analyst Steps After Overturn – Read More Here

🔹 Reactions Pour In After Richard Glossip’s Death Row Sentence Thrown Out – Full Story Here

🔹 Q&A with Former State Rep. Kevin McDugle on Richard Glossip’s New Trial Decision – See the Interview

🔹 Richard Glossip: Full Timeline of His Case – View Timeline Here

🔹 Richard Glossip: Ex-Oklahoma Lawmaker Says Supreme Court Ruling Should Spark Death Penalty Reform – Read More Here