Oklahoma overcame a night of defensive struggles and a late 10 point deficit behind Aaliyah Chavez’s career high 33 points, locking in during the final minutes of the fourth and overtime to complete a gritty, poised comeback win over NC State.
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— Oklahoma Basketball (@OU_WBBall) December 4, 2025
NORMAN – Oklahoma needed every bit of grit, poise, and late game maturity it could muster on Wednesday night at home against the NC State Wolfpack. For the first time this season, the Sooners were pushed into a game where nothing came easy and where they had to fall behind, claw back, seize a lead, and then hold off a talented opponent in crunch time.
And behind a career high 33 points from freshman Aaliyah Chavez, the Sooners powered past NC State in overtime, 103-98, in what may ultimately stand as a defining early season victory.
From the start, the game felt like an uphill climb. NC State controlled the tempo, dictated where the shots were coming from, and repeatedly got to their preferred spots on the floor. Oklahoma’s defensive physicality wasn’t where it needed to be, and the Wolfpack took advantage of it.
The Sooners struggled at the point of attack, allowing too much dribble penetration, and the breakdowns inside only compounded things. NC State pulled down 21 offensive rebounds, many of them turning into extended possessions and high value second chance points.
The pace wasn’t ideal for OU either with them thriving when playing really fast. Instead of the controlled, assertive tempo they like to generate, the Sooners spent long stretches reacting rather than dictating. That imbalance became especially visible in the second half, where NC State’s confidence grew with each successful possession.
By the time the fourth quarter rolled around, OU found itself staring at a double digit deficit, trailing by as many as 10. And with the defense still sputtering and the Wolfpack hitting rhythm shots, the game looked dangerously close to slipping away.
But for a team this young, what happened next was arguably the most impressive stretch of basketball they’ve played so far in this short season.
The Sooners didn’t fold. They didn’t panic. They kept plugging away, possession by possession, trusting their talent and their identity. Then, with roughly 2:30 left in regulation, it was as if something clicked, like a switch flipped and the Sooners collectively decided they were done giving up anything easy.
Suddenly, they were the aggressors. Oklahoma’s defense tightened dramatically, finally meeting NC State with real physicality at the point of attack. They eliminated straight line drives, cut off passing lanes, and secured rebounds with far greater force. What had been effortless looks for the Wolfpack evaporated. And on the other end, the Sooners made their presence felt in the paint.
They attacked relentlessly, finishing through contact, drawing fouls, and forcing NC State into disadvantageous rotations. Whether it was Chavez’s timely scoring or playmaking, Sahara Williams’ slashing bursts (21 points), or Raegan Beers battling inside for 21 points and 12 rebounds, the Sooners dictated the interior late when it mattered most.
That surge carried the Sooners all the way back, eventually forcing the game into overtime. And once the extra period began, there was no mistaking which team held the momentum. Oklahoma took control immediately, defended with composure, and never allowed NC State to regain rhythm.
The Sooners outscored the Wolfpack 14-9 in the overtime frame, closing the door on a comeback win that required toughness, resilience, and a level of late game execution they had not yet been asked to show this season.
At the center of it all was Chavez, who’s 33 points on 13-26 shooting, set a new career high in her still young college career. She was steady throughout the night, but she was also fearless when the game was hanging in the balance. Her shot making, rim pressure, and poise in pressure moments were vital to Oklahoma’s ability to stay attached long enough to mount its rally.
In the end, the Sooners defended their home floor, completed the comeback, and learned something important about themselves. They proved they can grind out a win even when the game is messy, when the energy swings against them, and when the physical battle isn’t going their way.
For a team built on youth, talent, and upside, Wednesday night was a significant step, and one they earned the hard way.
