Norman, Okla. -- The Catamounts were on the wrong end of the scoreboard as they fell 122-56 to the #9 Oklahoma Sooners. WCU is now 3-1 on the season while the Sooners are unblemished through their first three games. The Purple and Gold have eclipsed 55 points in all four games for the first time since the 2015-16 season. Three of WCU's four opponents that season were Division II competition, with the last time the Catamounts hung 55+ on at least three Division I opponents coming in 2008-09.  
 
The Sooners came out of the gates firing on all cylinders, taking a 9-2 lead in the first two minutes of the game before Zanoria Cruz drained her first three-pointer of the season to cut the early deficit to 4. Both teams exchanged blows, with the home team taking a 16-9 lead into the first media timeout. The Sooners surged out of the stoppage, outscoring the Catamounts 18-9 over the final 4 minutes of the quarter to take a 34-18 lead into the second quarter. Regan Trumm and Jada Burton kept the Purple and Gold within arm's reach, striking on three threes to close out the quarter.  
 
Oklahoma's size controlled the pace of the game, with the Crimson and Cream aggressively growing their lead in the second quarter and continuing to do so over the final half. The Sooners were efficient as well, hitting 48/76 shots and going 10/18 from beyond the arc. The Catamounts hit on 29% of their shots and went 75% from the charity stripe in the first loss of the 2024 season.  
 
Catamount Notables: 

• Tyja Beans went for 16 points in the road loss, her most since recording 18 in the season opener vs Warren Wilson. The sophomore has recorded at least five rebounds in all four games this season, racking up six boards (3 O/ 3 D) in Norman 
• Zanoria Cruz recorded her first start of the 2024-25 season. The Orlando, Florida product finished with seven points, shooting 50% from the floor and hit on her first three-point attempt of the season 
• Reagan Trumm went 2/4 from beyond the arc in Norman. She is shooting 6/12 through the first four games of the season, with all six makes coming from deep.  
• The Catamounts have eclipsed 55 points in all four games this season for the first time since the 2015-16 season. They last did so against three Division I opponents in the 2008-09 season 
• WCU's 56 points in the loss are the most allowed by the Sooners so far this season, who conceded 51 to the Virginia Cavaliers and 44 to Southern University. The Catamounts hit on 29% of their shots in the loss, the most by an opponent against the Sooners this season (Virginia – 27.5%, Southern 25.8%). The Purple and Gold also hit on 30% of their shots from three-point range and are the only of Oklahoma's three opponents to do so (Virginia – 26.9%, Southern – 27.8%) 

 
Up Next for The Catamounts: 
WCU will hit the midway point on their six-game road stretch as they head to Spartanburg to face the USC Upstate Spartans on Saturday, November 16.