SPOKANE, Wash. — The crowd at Spokane Veterans Memorial Arena roared.With a little more than three minutes remaining in Saturday’s matchup between the third-seeded OU women’s basketball team and second-seeded UConn, Huskies star Paige Bueckers had given the crowd what they wanted.Bueckers overwhelmed the Sooners, finishing with a career-high 40 points, as OU’s season ended with a 82-59 loss to the Huskies in the Sweet 16 of the NCAA Tournament.The Sooners’ season ends 27-8, their most wins in a season since the 2010 Final Four team also won 27.After OU led by four at halftime, thanks to Payton Verhulst’s 13-point second quarter, the Huskies dominated the second half.FOLLOW THE MADNESS: NCAA women's basketball scores, schedules, teams and more.They outscored the Sooners 27-10 in the third quarter to take control and didn’t much look back until the outcome was decided.Verhulst led the Sooners with 16 points.Here are three quick takeaways from the Sooners’ loss: More: OU women's basketball vs UConn recap: Paige Bueckers, Huskies oust Sooners in Sweet 16Paige Bueckers hits career highBueckers lunged forward and then took a step back.It was over. OU freshman Zya Vann tried to recover and close ground, but Bueckers had created all the space she needed, hitting a 3-pointer early in the fourth quarter to put UConn up 62-46.The Sooners tried a number of different options for defending Bueckers.They used Reyna Scott, Sahara Williams and Vann on Bueckers among other approaches.But the All-American and likely No. 1 pick in this year’s WNBA Draft shook off most all of them.Bueckers finished 16-of-27 shooting, going 6-of-8 from beyond the arc.REQUIRED READING: What doomed OU women's basketball vs UConn? 'Vicious cycle' of Paige Bueckers, turnoversRaegan Beers strugglesRaegan Beers has been the key to OU’s offense for much of the season, not only giving them a dominant post presence but also showing plenty of ability to find shooters The Huskies sent plenty of defenders Beers’ way, often bracketing her with defenders on both sides, to make life difficult on the junior transfer from Oregon State.Beers finished with nine points and was just 3 of 11 from the floorBeers was knocked to the ground battling for a loose ball early in the fourth quarter and got up hobbling.She attempted to remain in the game before Jennie Baranczyk substituted for her.Beers’ left knee was checked by trainers and she spent some time on a stationary bike before quickly returning to the game.More: UConn women's basketball coach Geno Auriemma blasts NCAA Tournament regional formatTurnovers once again bite SoonersTurnovers have been an issue all season for OU.But more often than not, the Sooners are able to force plenty of turnovers themselves.That wasn’t the case Saturday.The Sooners struggled with turnovers much of the game, finishing with 23 and UConn turned them into 18 points on the other end.The Huskies turned the ball over just 10 times.

Paige Bueckers, UConn end OU women's basketball season in Sweet 16

SPOKANE, Wash. — The crowd at Spokane Veterans Memorial Arena roared. She attempted to remain in the game before Jennie Baranczyk substituted for her.The Huskies turned the ball over just 10 times.The Huskies sent plenty of defenders Beers’ way, often bracketing her with defenders on both sides, to make life difficult on the junior transfer from […]

SPOKANE, Wash. — The crowd at Spokane Veterans Memorial Arena roared.

She attempted to remain in the game before Jennie Baranczyk substituted for her.The Huskies turned the ball over just 10 times.The Huskies sent plenty of defenders Beers’ way, often bracketing her with defenders on both sides, to make life difficult on the junior transfer from Oregon State.Beers finished with nine points and was just 3 of 11 from the floor

Raegan Beers has been the key to OU’s offense for much of the season, not only giving them a dominant post presence but also showing plenty of ability to find shooters It was over. OU freshman Zya Vann tried to recover and close ground, but Bueckers had created all the space she needed, hitting a 3-pointer early in the fourth quarter to put UConn up 62-46.

SPOKANE, WASHINGTON - MARCH 29: Paige Bueckers #5 of the Connecticut Huskies reacts in the fourth quarter against the Oklahoma Sooners in the Sweet Sixteen round of the NCAA Women's Basketball Tournament at Spokane Arena on March 29, 2025 in Spokane, Washington. (Photo by Alika Jenner/Getty Images)

Paige Bueckers hits career high

Bueckers overwhelmed the Sooners, finishing with a career-high 40 points, as OU’s season ended with a 82-59 loss to the Huskies in the Sweet 16 of the NCAA Tournament.The Sooners tried a number of different options for defending Bueckers.But the All-American and likely No. 1 pick in this year’s WNBA Draft shook off most all of them.

Beers was knocked to the ground battling for a loose ball early in the fourth quarter and got up hobbling.Beers’ left knee was checked by trainers and she spent some time on a stationary bike before quickly returning to the game.Bueckers finished 16-of-27 shooting, going 6-of-8 from beyond the arc.Verhulst led the Sooners with 16 points.

Raegan Beers struggles

They used Reyna Scott, Sahara Williams and Vann on Bueckers among other approaches.They outscored the Sooners 27-10 in the third quarter to take control and didn’t much look back until the outcome was decided.

The Sooners’ season ends 27-8, their most wins in a season since the 2010 Final Four team also won 27.After OU led by four at halftime, thanks to Payton Verhulst’s 13-point second quarter, the Huskies dominated the second half.

That wasn’t the case Saturday.

But more often than not, the Sooners are able to force plenty of turnovers themselves.

SPOKANE, WASHINGTON - MARCH 29: Head coach Jennie Baranczyk of the Oklahoma Sooners meets with Sahara Williams #6 in the second quarter against the Connecticut Huskies in the Sweet Sixteen round of the NCAA Women's Basketball Tournament at Spokane Arena on March 29, 2025 in Spokane, Washington. (Photo by Alika Jenner/Getty Images)

Turnovers once again bite Sooners

Bueckers lunged forward and then took a step back.Here are three quick takeaways from the Sooners’ loss: Turnovers have been an issue all season for OU.With a little more than three minutes remaining in Saturday’s matchup between the third-seeded OU women’s basketball team and second-seeded UConn, Huskies star Paige Bueckers had given the crowd what they wanted.The Sooners struggled with turnovers much of the game, finishing with 23 and UConn turned them into 18 points on the other end.