Oklahoma Pulls Away From North Carolina in Paris Opener
No. 21 Oklahoma beat No. 12 North Carolina 91-79 in the teams’ season opener in Paris on November 2, led by freshman LeeLee Bell’s 25 points and Sahara Williams’ 22.
Oklahoma used a dominant third quarter to turn a close game into a 91-79 win over North Carolina in Paris on November 2. The Sooners outscored the Tar Heels 31-14 in the period and carried an 18-point lead into the fourth quarter.
Freshman LeeLee Bell scored a game-high 25 points in her college debut, making nine of 21 shots. Williams, one of Oklahoma’s most experienced players, finished with 22 points and scored 13 in the third quarter, including two three-pointers.
Oklahoma also had to manage foul trouble for sophomore Aaliyah Chavez, who picked up her third foul early in the second quarter and sat out the rest of the half. North Carolina briefly extended its lead after Chavez left, but the Sooners responded with a 20-7 run and went into halftime ahead 39-38. Chavez finished with 14 points.
The Tar Heels were led by freshman Kate Harpring, who scored 21 points on nine-for-26 shooting. North Carolina struggled in the third, making six of 20 shots from the field and one of eight three-pointers.
Oklahoma’s lead narrowed in the fourth as North Carolina cut the margin to 10 with just over a minute remaining. The Tar Heels missed four straight shots, and Chavez made a three-pointer with 20 seconds left. North Carolina next meets No. 1 South Carolina Sunday in Charlotte; Oklahoma hosts Morgan State that day.