OU women grind out win over Texas Tech
BY GUERIN EMIG World Sports Writer
Sunday, January 13, 2013
1/13/13 at 6:32 AM
NORMAN - It was a grind for Oklahoma against Texas Tech Saturday night at the Lloyd Noble Center. But that's OK. When you're down to eight healthy scholarship players, you'll take wins however you can get them.
Right now, the Sooners are getting them.
OU's 65-55 victory over the Lady Raiders was number six in a row. The Sooners have climbed to 14-2 overall and 4-0 in the Big 12 Conference despite losing Whitney Hand and nearly an entire lineup to season-ending injury.
They've won a few lately with precision and shot-making. Saturday was more about toughness and defense.
"Another really gritty performance by our kids," OU coach Sherri Coale said.
"This league is not for those who don't want to get hit," forward Joanna McFarland said. "It's physical every night."
McFarland put up a rough-and-tumble 14 points and 16 rebounds. She and center Nicole Griffin (13 points and four rebounds) continue to be OU's sole sources of production inside.
But that wasn't an issue Saturday. McFarland, in fact, nearly subdued Texas Tech by herself.
All she needed was help from one teammate, and one stretch of smooth basketball. The stretch came four minutes into the second half with OU leading 32-31.
McFarland scored an easy one out of the media timeout. McFarland poked away a pass for a steal, then finished a fast break on Morgan Hook's feed. Aaryn Ellenberg swished a 3. McFarland hit a top-of-the-key 3 off an inbound pass. Ellenberg scored off a drive. Nicole Griffin zipped a short jumper.
The Sooners put together as much offense in four minutes as they did the other 36, and it helped open up a 48-36 lead.
With less than four minutes remaining, OU was stuck on 52. Then Ellenberg shook loose for a straightaway 3, a hoop in transition and another swished 3. That pushed the lead to 60-48, and made her 26 points the key statistic of the game.
Others included Tech's 9-of-20 foul shooting, 37 percent shooting from the field and 16 turnovers. It was not a pretty sight, watching the Lady Raiders drop to 12-4 overall and 2-2 in the Big 12.
Ellenberg got her 26 while playing all 40 minutes. She didn't turn the ball over once.
Point guard Morgan Hook played another 40. She bobbled it three times, but overcame with seven points, five assists and tireless defense.
Like her teammtes, she did what was necessary. It has become a habit for such a shorthanded team.
Original Print Headline: OU women grind out win over Tech
Guerin Emig 918-581-8355
guerin.emig@tulsaworld.com
Associated Images:
Oklahoma's Morgan Hook drives on a fast break as Texas Tech's Shauntal Nobles watches during Saturday's game in Norman. STEVE SISNEY/The Oklahoman
|
