The OU women's basketball team defeated the Oklahoma Christian University Eagles 107-44 Thursday night with a big first effort from highly touted freshmen Courtney and Ashley Paris.
"We outmanned them tonight," head coach Sherri Coale said. "We want to play fast. Courtney and Ashley are deceptive. These guys can really run."
The Paris twins crashed the boards and were a rebounding force on the offensive and defensive side. The pair combined for 41 rebounds and 45 points.
Center Courtney Paris grabbed 18 rebounds, 14 on the defensive side of the ball.
OCU had no answer for Courtney Paris, as she finished the game with 25 points in 19 minutes, 17 of those points in the first half.
OU domination
o OU out-rebounded Oklahoma Christian 65-27.
o The Sooners had 26 assists, while the Eagles had seven.
o OU went 21-for-30 from the free throw line. OCU shot 9-for-21.
She said she was just doing what she knew she could.
"You just play," Courtney Paris said. "The ball goes up and you go for it."
Forward Ashley Paris was a force on both sides of the ball as well, with 23 rebounds. Eight of her rebounds were offensive. Ashley Paris added 20 points to her effort.
While crashing the boards and banging underneath the basket,s the Paris twins were still able to avoid serious foul trouble. Ashley Paris ended the game with two fouls. Courtney Paris had none.
Junior leader Leah Rush returned to her natural position of forward and gave the Sooners 15 points and five rebounds in 22 minutes. Rush also was a perfect 5-for-5 at the foul line.
Coale said she loves the fact that Rush is putting herself in a position to get fouled.
"We want her involved in all facets of the offense," Coale said.
Rush said she wants to be at the top in every category, and she said little things make a great player.
A 17-0 Sooner run that started the second half ended at the 14:43 mark when OCU forward Tasha Turney hit a shot from the foul line. The Sooners outscored the Eagles 56-18 in the second half.
The Sooners' point guard tandem of juniors Britney Brown and Kendra Moore combined for 11 points and six assists.
Coale said the two pushed the ball up the court well.
For the game, the three-point line was moved back 9 inches to a distance of 20 feet, 6 inches.
The Sooners shot 4-of-14 from the 3-point line.
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