Sooners Salvage Tournament With OT Win Over Illinois

Senior Sharane Campbell-Olds hit three big free throws and freshman Vionise Pierre-Louis scored seven points in overtime to help Oklahoma overcome a late 8-point second half deficit and defeat Illinois 78-76 in its final game of the Paradise Jam Tournament, held on the campus of the University of Virgin Islands in St. Thomas.

The Sooners, playing in their second-straight overtime contest, closed out the tournament with a 1-2 record and are now 4-2 on the year. The Illini, who opened the tournament with a 77-71 upset victory over No. 9/10 Kentucky, also ended the tournament at 1-2 and are now 5-2 overall.

Oklahoma – up eight against Kentucky Friday with 1:13 to play before falling in overtime – regrouped Saturday and turned the tides on Illinois.

The Illini held the 10-point lead with 2:51 to play and a 68-60 edge with 1:56 remaining. The Sooners rattled off a 9-1 run to ultimately tie the game at 69 and send it into overtime. Campbell-Olds hit the tying free throw with 1.1 clicks on the clock but missed the would-be winner.

Down five quickly to Illinois with 2:32 to play in overtime, Pierre-Louis put together a few huge plays. The center scored a put-back off an offensive board and converted an old-fashion 3-point play to tie the game at 75 with 1:50 left. After Illinois hit a free throw, Pierre-Louis again went to the line and sank one-of-two to tie the contest at 76 with 35 ticks remaining.

It was Campbell-Olds who then won the game for the Sooners. After grabbing a defensive board with eight seconds left, she was fouled and sent to the line. This time she easily sank both free throws to give OU the two point lead.

Illinois last second attempt to tie the game went array and Oklahoma celebrated the two-point victory.

Pierre-Louis – who entered into the contest after junior Kaylon Williams fouled out - scored seven of the Sooners nine points in the extra five minutes.

Campbell-Olds finished the contest with her second double-double of the season, 14 points and 10 rebounds. Freshman point guard Gabbi Ortiz added a career-high 15 points and a career and game-high 12 rebounds – her first career double-double. All 15 points came from beyond the 3-point arc, hitting 5-of-9.

Williams added 15 points and five rebounds, while redshirt sophomore Peyton Little chipped in 11.

Illinois was led by Ivory Crawford who registered a double-double of 27 points and 10 rebounds. She also had seven steals and one assist.

The Sooners return to action Sunday, Dec. 7 when they play at North Texas. Game time is set for 11 a.m.