COLUMBUS, Ohio – Joanna McFarland had 18 points and a career-high 17 rebounds and Aaryn Ellenberg scored 18 of her 22 points in the second half Saturday to lead sixth-seeded Oklahoma to a 78-73 victory over Central Michigan in a first-round NCAA women's tournament game.
The sixth-seeded Sooners (23-10) advance to Monday night's second-round game against the winner of Stetson and UCLA at Ohio State's St. John Arena.
Despite 24 turnovers, the Sooners had just enough to hold off the Chippewas (21-12), who were making their third trip to the NCAA and first since 1984. Crystal Bradford had a sensational game for CMU with a career-high 36 points (on 14 of 31 shooting from the field) with 14 rebounds and seven steals.
Ellenberg, who held Oklahoma's season (103) and career (272) records for 3-pointers made, hit 4 of 5 in the second half to rally her team, which was struggling to hold onto the lead. None was bigger than her shot behind the arc with 3:11 left and late in the shot clock to extend the lead to 71-60.
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