If you walked into the Lloyd Noble Center today expecting a defensive slugfest, you probably left feeling a little dizzy. The scoreboards were putting in overtime. Honestly, when two of the highest-scoring offenses in the country meet up, you expect fireworks, but what we actually got was a clinical takeover by the visitors.
No. 6 LSU defeated No. 13 Oklahoma 91-72 on Sunday afternoon, January 18, 2026. It was a statement win for Kim Mulkey’s squad, proving that their high-octane offense travels just as well as it plays in Baton Rouge.
For those tracking who won the Oklahoma game today, the result boils down to a massive first-quarter swing and a free-throw discrepancy that made a comeback nearly impossible for the Sooners.
A Fast Start That Fizzled
Oklahoma actually looked like the better team for about six minutes. They jumped out to a 13-4 lead, feeding off a raucous home crowd that clearly hasn't forgotten the old Big 12 rivalries with Coach Mulkey. It felt like the Sooners were going to run LSU right out of the gym.
Then, the wheels fell off.
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LSU responded with a demoralizing 20-3 run to end the first quarter. Just like that, a nine-point lead turned into an eight-point deficit. The Tigers never trailed again.
The Stars Who Shined
Flau'jae Johnson was the best player on the floor, and it wasn't particularly close. She finished with a double-double—23 points and 10 rebounds. She was everywhere, blocking three shots and basically acting as a one-woman wrecking crew in transition.
But the real surprise? Jada Richard.
She dropped a career-high 21 points. When your secondary scoring options are playing like All-Americans, you're almost impossible to beat. On the Oklahoma side, Payton Verhulst did her best to keep things competitive, knocking down five triples and finishing with 21 points of her own. Raegan Beers also chipped in a double-double with 10 points and 11 boards, but the Sooners just couldn't find enough stops.
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The Free Throw Factor
If you want to know why the game got out of hand, look at the charity stripe.
- LSU made 29 free throws.
- Oklahoma made 8.
That’s a 21-point difference in a 19-point game. You do the math. Two Oklahoma players fouled out trying to contain the Tigers' dribble penetration, and the constant whistling took all the rhythm out of Jennie Baranczyk’s offense.
It's also worth noting that while everyone focuses on the basketball, the Oklahoma men's tennis team actually picked up a win today. They beat Abilene Christian 6-1 earlier in the morning. So, it wasn't a total wash for Sooner fans, though the marquee basketball matchup certainly stung.
What This Means for the Sooners
Oklahoma is now 14-4. They aren't in "panic mode" yet, but the SEC schedule is absolutely relentless. They’ve now dropped games to Kentucky, Ole Miss, and LSU.
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The biggest concern has to be the defense. Giving up 91 points at home is a tough pill to swallow, especially when you consider that LSU was getting to the rim almost at will in the second half. The Tigers outrebounded OU 48-38, which is usually where the Sooners pride themselves on winning.
The road doesn't get any easier. Next up? A date with No. 2 South Carolina on Thursday.
Actionable Takeaways for Fans
If you're following the Sooners this season, keep an eye on the turnover margin. Oklahoma coughed it up 18 times today, which led to 21 LSU points. Against elite SEC competition, you can't gift-wrap possessions.
If you're heading to the Lloyd Noble Center for the South Carolina game, show up early. Today’s attendance was over 10,000, and the atmosphere was electric despite the final score.
Next Steps for Sooner Supporters:
- Watch the Perimeter: See if the coaching staff adjusts the defensive rotations to prevent the high foul counts we saw today.
- Focus on Raegan Beers: She needs more than 10 points for this team to beat top-10 opponents. Look for them to feed the post earlier on Thursday.
- Check the Schedule: The men's team is looking to bounce back after their heartbreaking 83-81 loss to Alabama on Saturday. Their next game is Tuesday against Texas.
LSU is the real deal, and today was a reminder of the gap between the "good" teams and the "national title contender" teams. Oklahoma has the talent to bridge that gap, but they’ve got to tighten up the interior defense before the Gamecocks come to town.