Florida
Oklahoma
NORMAN, Okla. (02/12/2026) — The No. 10 Oklahoma Sooners overcame a double-digit halftime deficit with a potent second-half rally to secure an 81-74 victory over the Florida Gators on Thursday night at the Lloyd Noble Center. Despite a stellar offensive performance from Florida, costly turnovers and a resurgent Sooner offense after the break proved to be the difference in a hard-fought SEC matchup.
How It Happened
The game was a tale of two halves. Florida came out firing, building a 37-26 lead by halftime after holding the Sooners to just 28% shooting from the field. The Gators effectively silenced Oklahoma's primary scorers and controlled the pace for the first 20 minutes. Liv McGill was spectacular for Florida, pouring in a game-high 29 points while adding seven rebounds and seven assists in a dominant all-around effort.
However, the Oklahoma offense ignited in the second half, outscoring the Gators 55-37. The Sooners' balanced attack came to life, with Zya Vann leading the charge with 18 points, including several crucial three-pointers. Peyton Verhulst and Aaliyah Chavez each contributed 16 points, with Verhulst also grabbing nine rebounds. Chavez, after a tough start, was perfect from the free-throw line, hitting all 10 of her attempts, and dished out seven assists.
Turning Point
The momentum decisively shifted late in the third quarter and into the fourth. After trailing for most of the game, Oklahoma tied the score at 64-64 with a three-point play by Verhulst with just under six minutes remaining. Shortly after, a layup by Sahara Williams gave the Sooners a 66-64 lead, their first since the opening minutes of the contest. This sequence, fueled by Florida's turnovers and Oklahoma's renewed offensive execution, capped the comeback and allowed the Sooners to build a late lead they would not relinquish.
Star of the Game
While Florida's Liv McGill posted the most impressive individual stat line with 29 points, seven rebounds, and seven assists, the victory was a team effort for Oklahoma. Zya Vann gets the nod for her team-high 18 points, providing the offensive spark that ignited the comeback. However, Aaliyah Chavez's poise under pressure, evidenced by her perfect 10-for-10 performance at the foul line and key assists in the second half, was equally critical to securing the win for the Sooners.
What It Means
For the Oklahoma Sooners (18-6, 6-5 SEC), this comeback win is a significant boost, demonstrating their resilience against a determined conference opponent. It keeps them in the upper echelon of the competitive SEC standings and reinforces their standing as a top-10 team. Overcoming a poor shooting start will be a valuable experience as they move deeper into conference play.
For the Florida Gators (15-12, 3-9 SEC), it's a heartbreaking road loss after controlling the game for so long. The Gators proved they can compete with the league's best, but the 23 turnovers were ultimately their undoing. The performance from McGill is a bright spot, but Florida will need to focus on ball security to turn these competitive efforts into victories as the SEC Tournament approaches.