Senior center Courtney Paris (3) shows emotion during her speech after Senior Night against Texas Tech Wednesday night at Lloyd Noble Center. Chelsea Garza/The Daily

It’s hard for OU women’s basketball fans to believe the Paris era is almost over, but after a 61-49 win over Texas Tech Wednesday night, the Sooner seniors ended their career at Lloyd Noble Center with a bang.

“It’s hard to put into words . . . but this is what seniors dream about,” head coach Sherri Coale said. “They’re kind of going out in a story book way.”

Senior center Courtney Paris started the game off for the Sooners by scoring a quick two points, just as she has the past four years at OU.

Her sister, senior forward Ashley Paris seemed to fly under the radar for most of the game, but halfway through the second half, she surged and put up a total of 15 points and 10 rebounds.

“She just needed something good to happen,” Coale said.

This is how it has been all season for the Paris twins.

Just like Wednesday night’s game, Courtney Paris jumped out of the gate from the beginning of her career, impressing her teammates and fans with a natural ability under the basket.

During her freshman year, she averaged 21.9 points and 15 rebounds per game. She was a consensus All-American and Big 12 Freshman Player of the Year.

By her sophomore year, she was the AP Player of the Year and the accolades just kept coming every year.

After her junior season, she was Big 12 Player of the Year for the second straight season and Big 12 Defensive Player of the Year.

Courtney Paris is now poised to go down in history as one of the most prolific players in women’s college basketball.

“If I’m going to battle and if I got to take someone with me, I’m taking her,” Coale said.

Coale is not shy to admit the strong presence the Paris twins have had on women’s college basketball by setting records and dominating games.

“Obviously statistical categories have been completely shattered and changed as a result of their presence here,” Coale said.

Ashley Paris took a little more time to warm up than her sister. She was always compared to Courtney Paris’ success and her talent many times was outshined.

“When I first came here, to be honest, I didn’t even have the confidence to wear earrings,” Ashley Paris said.

Things changed once Ashley Paris reached her senior year with a new level of confidence.

She snuck up on everyone and now is second on the team in scoring at 13 points per game and also puts up 9.6 rebounds per game.

The twins are part of a magical Sooner squad this year who clinched the Big 12 regular season title in the win over Texas Tech.

Sooner fans for years will be celebrating this team and the Paris twins are a big reason why. Although Courtney Paris has been the star for quite some time, both players have left a mark on the program.

“I think mom would agree we have been partners in crime since the womb,” Ashley Paris said.

The Sooners’ final regular season game is against Texas at 2:30 p.m. on Saturday in Austin, Texas.