During the pregame introductions, sophomore guard Danielle Robinson ran to meet junior center Abi Olajuwon for their usual jumping shoulder-bump. Olajuwon bumped Robinson too hard and the 5’9” guard tumbled to the floor.
That turned out to be foreshadowing for OU’s 74-62 loss to No. 4 seed Texas A&M in the Big 12 tournament semifinals on Saturday. It was a physical game in which there were few easy shots and almost every rebound was intensely fought for.
“We weren’t as tough as we usually are,” senior center Courtney Paris said.
Coach Sherri Coale was not pleased with her team’s effort and toughness in such a crucial game
“It’s frustrating, because I didn’t think we played as hard as we needed to play,” Coale said. “Not giving a maximum effort from start to finish in a semifinal game in the conference tournament is baffling.”
The physicality of the game bothered the Sooners, preventing them from getting comfortable. Coale said that the nature of the game was no excuse for not putting out a full effort.
“If you get pushed three times when you shoot it and it doesn’t get called, and that makes you not play hard, you’re not very tough,” Coale said.
Despite the numerous attempts, OU failed to take advantage at the free throw line, shooting 61 percent in the game.
“With the free throws, it was just focus,” Robinson said. “We would hit one and miss the second.”
Neither team could find an offensive rhythm during the first half, with both teams shooting 27 percent from the floor. However, Texas A&M was able to improve, shooting 57 percent in the second half.
Texas A&M played close and bumped OU’s shooters holding the Sooners to 0-4 from three-point range in the first half. The Sooners did not convert a three point shot until around seven minutes left in the second half.
OU struggled to get the ball to Paris down low, with the Aggies fronting her on most possessions. The Sooners’ lob passes inside were often deflected, and when Paris was able to catch she was met with a double team. Paris eventually fouled out late in the second half.
“I thought things just distracted us, and that means you’re not very tough, it means you’re fragile,” Coale said.
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