Vionise Pierre-Louis flirts with triple-double in Sooners win

came into Saturday’s first-round NCAA tournament game knowing she would have a size advantage inside against Gonzaga. She didn’t know just how big that advantage would be.

Oklahoma’s 6-foot-2 junior center just missed her first career triple-double, finishing with 17 points, nine rebounds and nine blocks in the Sooners’ 75-62 victory over Gonzaga. Her nine blocks are the most Oklahoma’s had in an NCAA tournament game.

“(The blocks) weren’t a focus. My focus was more on offense and (to) not get beat on defense,” she said. “I didn’t come in thinking about nine blocks. The ball literally just came to my mind — it was just a reaction.”

In the two-week break since the Big 12 tournament, Oklahoma coach said she was impressed with Pierre-Louis’ work ethic in practice, so much so that Coale inserted Pierre-Louis back into the starting lineup Saturday.

Pierre-Louis presence inside helped the Sooners’ perimeter players get open looks from the outside, and Oklahoma finished 10-for-23 from 3-point range.

“We felt like (Gonzaga) had to make a concession in defending her, and the key for us was being patient to take advantage of that,” Coale said.

‘Oops’

As Gonzaga made its push in the fourth quarter, Oklahoma’s connected on a much-needed 3-pointer in front of the Sooners’ bench. It wouldn’t have happened if Manning had listened to her coach.

“What are you doing?” Coale screamed as Manning elevated for the shot. “Cut to the basket!”

Coale cracked a smile after Manning’s 3-pointer swished through the net, extending the Sooners’ lead to 67-57 with 4:12 remaining.

“Oops,” Manning said to her coach as she ran upcourt.

The Sooners are now 16-3 all-time in NCAA opening round games and are 4-0 against No. 11 seeds.

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