OU women’s basketball is 1-0 in Big 12 Conference play after a 73-58 win over the Texas Tech Lady Raiders.

"Every win in the Big 12 is a great one," head coach Sherri Coale said. "You're going to hear me say that, hopefully, a whole lot, but every single night if you can figure out a way to have more points than the other guys you got to go away feeling pretty good."

Senior center Abi Olajuwon kicked off the Sooners’ Big 12 season with two quick layups, but Texas Tech was not going to let OU run away with the conference win.

OU created its own problems with seven turnovers midway through the first half, and junior guard Danielle Robinson watching from the sidelines with two early fouls.

Coale said the rough first half was partially due to the poor play of one or two players and that led to substitutions which caused a bit of offensive chaos.

Giving the Sooners life while they struggled to best Texas Tech was senior guard Nyeshia Stevenson, who stepped up with a couple key baskets as they held onto a 19-14 lead 10 minutes into the half.

Stevenson would finish the half with nine points and four rebounds.

OU settled into the game, and upon the return of Robinson from the bench, the Sooners put separation between themselves and the Lady Raiders, going up 25-16 with just over seven minutes remaining.

The lead grew to 11 at one point, but the Lady Raiders narrowed the lead toward the close of the half, sending the Sooners into the locker room with a 36-31 lead.

The Sooners picked up in the second half where they left off, but the Lady Raiders hung around, closing the lead to 45-42 after seven minutes of action.

Senior forward Amanda Thompson provided a second half spark for OU, contributing key minutes and putting up 11 second-half points.

"People will have to gaurd her everytime she catches the ball...she sees things that most players don't," Coale said.

She finished the game with 17 points and six rebounds.

Thompson said she is looking for her shot more because it is something the team needs.

While 14 turnovers plagued the Sooners in the first half, OU committed only four in the second.

A key three from the corner by junior forward Carlee Roethlisberger put the Sooners ahead 55-44 at the 10-minute mark and gave OU a much needed spark.

Robinson finished the contest with 15 points and Olajuwon ended the afternoon with 12 points and six rebounds.

Stevenson ended the game with 11 points and 10 rebounds.

Texas Tech senior guard Tamila Martin and sophomore forward Kierra Mallard lead the Lady Raiders in scoring and finished the game with 14 points each.

Up next for the Sooners is a road trip to Waco, Texas, where OU will try to pick up the road win and upset over No. 5 Baylor. Baylor lost its conference opener to Oklahoma State, so the Lady Bears will be looking for their first win.

"That little hornet's nest will be stirred up down there," Coale said. "People will be angry, so we'll be the recipient of that."