Oklahoma
Three Takeaways from Oklahoma’s Loss to UCLA
Despite two of its best players struggling with foul trouble, Oklahoma was right there with UCLA well into the third quarter.
But the No. 3-ranked Bruins took over from there, pulling away for a 73-59 win over the No. 6 Sooners in an early season showdown between two of women’s college basketball’s top teams in Sacramento, CA.
Starting in that decisive third quarter, UCLA ripped off a 16-3 run to stretch a one-point lead into a 59-45 advantage.
OU never got closer than seven the rest of the way.
Payton Verhulst led the Sooners with 16 points while Zya Vann added 13, playing a big role early when Aaliyah Chavez went to the bench with foul trouble. Raegan Beers also found foul trouble early.
Vann scored seven of her points in the first quarter, including hitting a 3-pointer in the closing seconds.
Oklahoma shot just 30.7 percent from the field.
Gianna Kneepkens led the Bruins with 20 points, while Angela Dugalic added 16 points and 15 rebounds.
The Sooners (1-1) return to action against Kansas City at 8 p.m. Wednesday at Lloyd Noble Center.
Here are three takeaways from the Sooners’ loss:
Less than four minutes into the game, Oklahoma freshman point guard Aaliyah Chavez was already heading to the bench.
The 5-star phenom picked up a pair of fouls less than 40 seconds apart to limit her time on the floor in the first quarter.
The Sooners were up 9-7 when Chavez headed to the bench, and UCLA took advantage without her on the floor, outscoring OU 17-7 during that span.
Whether it was due to Jennie Baranczyk’s trust in her, or necessity with the game in danger of slipping away early, Chavez didn’t stay on the bench long.
She re-entered the game with 1:25 remaining in the first quarter and remained in the game for all but a few seconds of the second quarter.
Chavez never did pick up a third foul.
But though she was able to fight through the foul trouble, Chavez struggled with her shot against the Bruins.
She finished 4-of-16 from the floor, though she didn’t have a turnover in 32 minutes. Chavez had 11 points and three assists.
Chavez still flashed the skill that made her the top player in the 2025 class.
In the closing seconds of the first quarter, Chavez drove baseline, flipping it to Sahara Williams through traffic for a midrange jumper.
Williams’ shot, though, was released just after time expired, giving UCLA a 24-22 lead after one.
The matchup between former middle school teammates and high school competitors Raegan Beers of OU and Lauren Betts of UCLA was front and center going into the game.
Both had their moments, but ultimately Betts won out, as the reigning national defensive player of the year finished with nine points and 10 rebounds.
She also blocked four shots, though also finished with a career-high seven turnovers.
Early in the fourth quarter, there was a scary moment when Beers crumpled to the floor with an apparent non-contact knee injury.
But after being checked out on the bench, Beers was back less than two minutes later.
Beers finished with seven points and 14 rebounds on 2-of-7 shooting with two steals.
While OU’s offense has been a strength under Baranczyk, the Sooners have often struggled to limit turnovers in their free-wheeling offensive system.
But with Chavez helping direct the offense Monday, OU finished with just nine turnovers while forcing 16. The Sooners outscored UCLA 16-9 off turnovers.
The turnover numbers were OU’s lowest since late January 2024.
The Sooners turned the ball over 18 times in their season-opening 84-67 win over Belmont.
OKLAHOMA CITY (KOKH) — Officials with the Oklahoma Highway Patrol are remembering a dedicated K-9 officer who passed away earlier this month.
K-9 Dak was born in 2014 and began serving with the OHP in 2015.
Throughout his distinguished career, officials say Dak’s exceptional instincts made a significant impact on public safety across the state.
During his career, Dak was instrumental in the seizure of over 2,000 pounds of marijuana, 46 pounds of cocaine, 151 pounds of methamphetamine, and 99 pounds of fentanyl.
“These remarkable accomplishments represent countless lives protected and communities made safer through Dak’s service,” OHP wrote.
Dak worked his final shift on June 3 before peacefully passing away from natural causes on June 7.
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“More than his statistics and accomplishments, Dak was a loyal partner, trusted teammate, and beloved member of the Oklahoma Highway Patrol. His legacy will live on through the work he accomplished, the bond he shared with his handler, and the many lives he touched throughout his career,” OHP said.
It’s Boomer Sooner time in Omaha.
Oklahoma has won the 2026 Men’s College World Series, steamrolling through North Carolina in the winner-take-all Game 3, 13-2, capturing its first national title in over 30 years and third overall. The Sooners are the seventh straight SEC team to win the national championship.
A dogpile with cheers that made its way through the infiled, it closed out the Sooners’ one-for-the-ages NCAA tournament run.
for the third time in program history, the Oklahoma Sooners are national champions 🏆 pic.twitter.com/xEvjGxhqgM
— Oklahoma Baseball (@OU_Baseball) June 23, 2026
It was an all-around masterclass for OU, jumping out to a 3-1 lead by the end of the third and never looking back. They put at least one run across the plate in four of the final six innings, including three in the fourth and four in the eighth.
The fourth was where Oklahoma’s upper hand became clear. Walker McDuffie’s three consecutive one-out walks loaded the bases, and UNC turned to star freshman Caden Glauber. The Tar Heels were previously 29-0 with whenever he pitched, but he was pulled after a walk and Jaxon Willits’ two-RBI single.
LJ Mercurius was outstanding on the mound, entering for starter Nick Wesloski in the third and tossing 5.2 innings, giving up just one run on four hits. It was his longest outing since April 17.
Outside of Mercurius, shortstop Jaxon Willits and Kyle Branch starred for the Sooners. The former went 3-for-4 with two RBIs and was named Most Outstanding Player, while Branch also went 3-for-4 with a homer and six RBIs, a career-high. He’s the third player all-time to record six or more RBIs in a national championship game.
The victory caps off OU’s gauntlet-like journey to the top. After finishing 11th in SEC regular season play, they knocked off five national seeds — three in the top five and two on the road — leaning on a trio of freshman arms and a historic power surge at the plate.
Men’s College World Series All-Tournament Team:
- Catcher: Deiten LaChance, Oklahoma
- First base: Erik Paulsen, North Carolina
- Second base: Gavin Gallaher, North Carolina
- Third base: Tyrus Hall, West Virginia
- Shortstop: Jaxon Willits, Oklahoma
- Outfield: Jason Walk, Oklahoma
- Outfield: Owen Hull, North Carolina
- Outfield: Dasan Harris, Oklahoma
- Designated Hitter: Adrian Rodriguez, Texas
- Pitcher: Joey Volchko, Georgia
- Pitcher: Caden Glauber, North Carolina
THE 2026 #MCWS ALL-TOURNAMENT TEAM ⚾️ pic.twitter.com/wlaQxxYFL3
— NCAA Baseball (@NCAABaseball) June 23, 2026
OKLAHOMA CITY (KOKH) — The Oklahoma National Guard announced the loss of a specialist who passed away last week.
On Monday, the Oklahoma National Guard announced the passing of Spc. Blake C. Akin, who passed away on June 17.
“We are saddened by the loss of Spc. Blake Akin,” said Maj. Gen. Thomas H. Mancino, adjutant general for Oklahoma. “Our thoughts and prayers are with his loved ones and fellow Soldiers during this difficult time.”
Akin, 24, enlisted as an infantryman in November of 2021. He was a member of Charlie Company, 179th Infantry Regiment, 45th Infantry Brigade Combat Team.
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A memorial service for Akin will be held at 2 p.m. at Smith and Kernke Funeral Home Chapel, located at 14624 N. May Ave. in Oklahoma City.
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