Women's Bedlam Notebook: Griffin goes for a career high
BY GUERIN EMIG World Sports Writer
Monday, February 11, 2013
2/11/13 at 4:59 AM
Related Story: Bedlam blowout
Nicole Griffin helped pick up Oklahoma's offense Sunday when leading scorer Aaryn Ellenberg struggled through a poor first half. Even after Ellenberg came alive in the second, Griffin poured it on.
The 6-foot-6 center wound up with a career-high 21 points to lead the Sooners to an 80-61 Bedlam victory.
Griffin drew a quick second foul on Oklahoma State scoring leader Toni Young. Lindsey Keller tried to guard her, then Kendra Suttles took her turn. Nothing worked, and Griffin wound up shooting 9-of-13.
"Nic has gone up against great post players all year," OU coach Sherri Coale said. "Her confidence is continually building because of that. ...
"She did a great job of putting the ball on the floor and not just settling for the jump hook. Her jump hook is great and is an effective weapon, but what she did tonight was lay out and use her length to get to the rim, and get underneath the defense."
Turning point: Tiffany Bias converted a transition layup with 3:44 left in the first half. That would be OSU's final field goal of the half, and it cost the Cowgirls both a 31-28 intermission deficit and a burst of OU momentum into the second half.
"We missed five or six lay-ups," Cowgirls coach Jim Littell said of the cold spell. "We were right at the rim and had some opportunities to make shots. They saw somebody out of the corner of their eye or whatever. When you play a good team on their home court, you've got to make your easy shots. You've got to make tough shots, but you darn sure have to make easy shots, and we didn't."
Differences in the game: Bias, OSU's point guard, shot 2-of-14 and had as many turnovers as assists (6). Counterpart Morgan Hook had four turnovers, but overcame that with a game-high 10 assists.
OSU starting forwards Young (early foul trouble) and Liz Donohoe (5-of-15 shooting) both struggled. On OU's frontline, Joanna McFarland complemented Griffin with 10 points and 15 rebounds. McFarland and Sharane Campbell (12 boards) helped OU muscle to a 28-15 rebounding advantage in the decisive second half.
Associated Images:
OU's Nicole Griffin goes up for a shot as OSU's Kendra Suttles attempts to defend Sunday. SARAH PHIPPS / The Oklahoman
OU's Sharane Campbell fights for a rebound with OSU's Brittney Martin on Sunday afternoon at the Lloyd Noble Center in Norman. Campbell finished with a game-high 12 rebounds to go with her 15 points. SARAH PHIPPS / The Oklahoman
|
