Columbus, OH – Joanna McFarland posted a double-double as the sixth-seed Oklahoma Sooners topped the 11th-seed Central Michigan Chippewas, 78-73, in the first round of the NCAA Tournament at St. John Arena.
McFarland finished with 18 points and 17 rebounds for Oklahoma (23-10) which will take on third-seed UCLA in Monday's second round. Aaryn Ellenberg added 22 points, Sharane Campbell had 15 and Morgan Hook netted nine points to go with seven assists.
Crystal Bradford recorded a double-double of her own with 36 points and 14 rebounds along with seven steals for Central Michigan (21-12). Brandie Baker netted 12 points and handed out five assists while Niki DiGuilio tacked on 10 points.
At halftime Oklahoma held a 43-34 lead after shooting 44.1 percent from the floor and hitting 8-of-9 attempts from the free-throw line. Central Michigan managed to make good on just 30.2 percent of its shots from the field but matched the Sooners with five 3-pointers.
In the second half the Sooners shot 52.6 percent from the field and held off the Chippewas, who netted just 31.7 percent, by knocking down 11-of-13 free- throw attempts.
Oklahoma won despite committing a game-high 24 turnovers. The Sooners had a 48-42 edge on the boards and went 9-of-19 from beyond the arc.
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