Oklahoma Shocks No. 2 South Carolina 94 to 82 in Overtime with Aaliyah Chavez Heroics

Norman, Oklahoma — Aaliyah Chavez scored 15 of her 26 points in overtime to lead No. 16 Oklahoma past No. 2 South Carolina 94-82 on Thursday night, delivering the Sooners’ biggest upset of the season.

Freshman guard Chavez struggled in regulation, hitting just 4 of 14 shots, but went perfect in overtime, making 5 of 5 to secure the win. Payton Verhulst contributed 19 points, while Raegan Beers recorded 18 points and 14 rebounds as Oklahoma (15-4, 3-3 Southeastern Conference) snapped a three-game losing streak against ranked opponents, which included losses to Ole Miss, Kentucky, and LSU.

The victory matched the highest-ranked opponent Oklahoma has ever defeated, tying their 2024 win over No. 2 Kansas State. The Sooners’ performance highlights their ability to execute under pressure and provides momentum as the team approaches the mid-season stretch.

South Carolina (19-2, 5-1 SEC) saw its 12-game winning streak end. Tessa Johnson led the Gamecocks with 19 points and Raven Johnson added 16. Joyce Edwards, who had averaged 20.6 points this season, managed just 12 on 3-for-12 shooting. The Gamecocks shot 37 percent from the field, well below their season average.

Oklahoma overcame an early deficit, trailing 43-36 at halftime after Ta'Niya Latson converted three free throws with 0.4 seconds remaining in the first half following a foul by Kaya Smith. The Sooners opened the second half with an 8-0 run, including a three-point play and a Chavez three-pointer, taking a 44-43 lead. Oklahoma maintained a narrow advantage through the fourth quarter, leading 73-67 with under four minutes remaining before South Carolina tied the game at 75. Beers’ putback with 18.4 seconds left forced overtime.

In overtime, Oklahoma dominated, outscoring the Gamecocks 19-7, with Chavez hitting every shot she attempted and key stops by the Sooners’ defense. The win underscores Oklahoma’s growth as a program capable of challenging top-tier SEC teams and demonstrates their depth and poise in high-pressure situations.

Looking ahead, South Carolina hosts Vanderbilt on Sunday, seeking to rebound from the loss, while Oklahoma travels to Auburn on Sunday for another critical SEC matchup. This result reshapes the SEC outlook and positions Oklahoma as a legitimate contender to challenge top-ranked teams in the coming weeks.