NORMAN, Okla. — Napheesa Collier had 23 points and a career-high 17 rebounds and No. 1 Connecticut overcame a 12-point, second-half deficit to beat Oklahoma 72-63 on Wednesday night.
Katie Lou Samuelson added 20 points and 11 rebounds to help the Huskies (10-0) win their 125th consecutive regular-season game and 57th straight nonconference regular-season game.
Taylor Robertson scored 23 points, and Shaina Pellington added 16 for Oklahoma (3-7). The Sooners led for 31 minutes.
Collier made a layup with 3:36 remaining to put UConn ahead 63-62. Collier scored again on a backdoor cut, and the Huskies remained in control from there.
Oklahoma led 37-31 at halftime, the Sooners’ first halftime lead in 12 meetings with the Huskies, all losses. Robertson scored 16 points before the break, and Madi Williams added 10. The Sooners held Connecticut to 36 percent shooting in the first half.
Oklahoma looked ready to take control when Robertson hit a 3-pointer from the corner and was fouled. She made the free throw to give the Sooners a 45-33 lead.
UConn responded with an 8-0 run, including two layups by Williams, to cut it to 45-41.
BIG PICTURE
Connecticut: The Huskies got the win, but they were shaky defensively, especially in the first half. Collier’s effort bailed them out of what was a lackluster performance by Connecticut standards.
Oklahoma: The Sooners showed great potential, but they wore out late and couldn’t keep Connecticut off the boards.
UP NEXT
Connecticut: At No. 14 California on Saturday.
Oklahoma: At SMU on Saturday.
