In a closely contested matchup, the 11th-ranked Oklahoma Sooners narrowly lost to Mississippi State with a final score of 81-77. The game, played at Humphrey Coliseum on Thursday evening, saw the Sooners struggle with turnovers that significantly impacted their performance. Despite having opportunities to tie or take the lead in the closing seconds, a critical turnover sealed their fate. OU committed 21 turnovers throughout the game, contributing to 25 points for the Bulldogs. This marked the third consecutive game where the Sooners exceeded 20 turnovers. The team now returns home to face Texas A&M on Sunday.

The defensive pressure from Mississippi State was relentless, particularly against OU's key player Payton Verhulst. Verhulst, usually a pivotal figure in OU’s offense, faced tough opposition from Jerkaila Jordan, who stayed close and disrupted her rhythm. Verhulst managed to contribute 15 points, six rebounds, and six assists but struggled with shooting efficiency, making only 6 of 18 attempts. Meanwhile, Jordan excelled, scoring 24 points on 10-of-17 shooting. The Bulldogs' defense was a significant factor in OU's early struggles, as they scored just 11 points in the first quarter, falling behind by 10 points after the opening period.

Turnovers plagued the Sooners from the start. In the first quarter alone, OU turned the ball over eight times, allowing Mississippi State to capitalize with nine points off these mistakes. The Sooners attempted only six shots in the last five minutes of the first quarter, hitting just one. Despite this challenging start, Raegan Beers provided a spark for OU. Early in the third quarter, Beers hit a three-pointer, giving OU a brief lead. She continued her strong performance into the fourth quarter, leading the team with 19 points and 10 rebounds, marking her seventh double-double of the season. However, the team's overall shooting from beyond the arc remained poor, finishing at just 8 of 36.

The Sooners’ upcoming game against Texas A&M will be crucial as they look to rebound from this loss. The team must address their turnover issues and find ways to improve their offensive efficiency. While there were bright spots, such as Beers' performance, the turnovers ultimately hindered OU’s ability to secure a win. Moving forward, the Sooners will need to focus on tightening up their defense and maintaining composure under pressure to avoid similar pitfalls in future games.