Beers' 18 points and 14 boards power Oklahoma past Michigan St., sends Sooners back to the Sweet 16

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Michigan State guard Kennedy Blair, front left, is defended by Oklahoma center Raegan Beers (15) and guard Zya Vann (3) during the first half in the second round of the NCAA college basketball tournament, Sunday, March 22, 2026, Norman, Okla. (AP Photo/Alonzo Adams)

Michigan State guard Rashunda Jones (1) drives past Oklahoma guard Aaliyah Chavez (2) during the first half in the second round of the NCAA college basketball tournament, Sunday, March 22, 2026, Norman, Okla. (AP Photo/Alonzo Adams) — Michigan State guard Kennedy Blair, front left, is defended by Oklahoma center Raegan Beers (15) and guard Zya Vann (3) during the first half in the second round of the NCAA college basketball tournament, Sunday, March 22, 2026, Norman, Okla. (AP Photo/Alonzo Adams)

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10:32 PM on Sunday, March 22

By CLIFF BRUNT

NORMAN, Okla. (AP) — Raegan Beers had 18 points and 14 rebounds to help No. 4 seed Oklahoma beat fifth-seeded Michigan State 77-71 on Sunday night in the second round of the NCAA Tournament.

Aaliyah Chavez added 18 points and six assists for the Sooners (27-7), who advanced to play in the Sweet 16 of March Madness for the second straight year. They'll play the winner of Monday’s matchup between No. 1 seed South Carolina and No. 9 seed Southern California. Oklahoma defeated South Carolina in overtime during the regular season.

Rashunda Jones scored 20 points, Kennedy Blair had 14 points and nine rebounds and Grace VanSlooten added 13 points and seven rebounds for Michigan State (23-9). The Spartans were trying to reach the Sweet 16 for the first time since 2009.

Michigan State led 42-37 at halftime behind 47.1% shooting. The Spartans held Oklahoma to 38.9% shooting and forced the Sooners into 14 turnovers.

Early in the second half, with Michigan State leading 42-39, Michigan State's Jalyn Brown was called for a flagrant foul. Chavez made both free throws. Moments later, Beers scored in close, then made a mid-range jumper to put the Sooners up 45-42 and force a Michigan State timeout. The Sooners took a 57-54 lead into the fourth quarter.

Oklahoma started the final period hot. A 3-pointer by Payton Verhulst put the Sooners up 66-58. Michigan State got no closer than three points the rest of the way.

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AP March Madness bracket: https://apnews.com/hub/ncaa-womens-bracket and coverage: https://apnews.com/hub/march-madness