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Missed shot 'a stab to the chest'
Stevenson's try rattles in and out as time expires on OU.

OU's Nyeshia Stevenson shoots a 3-pointer over Louisville's Candyce Bingham at the Women's Final Four in St. Louis on Sunday. Stephen Pingry/Tulsa World
 
By JIMMIE TRAMEL World Sports Writer
Published: 4/6/2009  2:21 AM
Last Modified: 4/6/2009  4:50 AM

 ST. LOUIS — Nyeshia Stevenson, after missing a shot that could have put Oklahoma's women's basketball team in the national championship game, crumpled to the Scottrade Center court.

Then Ashley Paris, whose collegiate career ended with Stevenson's miss, consoled her fallen teammate.

"I just picked her up and said it was OK," Paris said.

OU lost 61-59 in a Final Four game Sunday night, and Stevenson had an opportunity to be a Sooner hero. OU pushed the ball up the court quickly — following a missed free throw by Louisville's Candyce Bingham — and Stevenson, who was open from the left wing, launched a 3-point attempt that did everything but go in. The ball hit two sides of the rim and sprang out just before the final buzzer.

"It felt like it was in," Stevenson said during a locker room interview. "I don't even know what to say right now about it. It was a stab to the chest that it didn't go in."

Stevenson politely answered question after question about the final sequence, rehashing her chance at "one shining moment" every time another wave of media approached. Once the herd went away, she said to herself, "I've got a headache."

Perhaps aspirin — and the support of coaches and teammates — will ease the pain.

Coach Sherri Coale, asked if she will do anything to make sure Stevenson doesn't take the last-second miss too hard, said, "That's the first thing you do. She'll be just fine. She understands. She did a lot of really good things for us."

Paris, the same player who provided a pick-me-up for Stevenson at game's end, provided another when she said this after the game: "I never imagined who would take the last shot of my career, but I am so glad it was Nyeshia, whether she made it or not."

Why does Paris feel that way? She referenced a game against California in San Jose this season. It was basically a homecoming game for the Paris twins, Courtney and Ashley, who are from Piedmont, Calif.

Ashley said it was one of the most important games of her career, and she recalled "how hard Nyeshia worked for us that game."

Stevenson scored 21 second-half points and OU rallied from a 52-26 halftime deficit to beat Cal. So, said, Ashley, "I couldn't have picked a better person to take (the last shot.)"

Said Courtney, "I thought it was a great shot — rim-to-rim and came out. I thought it was really courageous of her to be willing to take that big shot. And it just didn't go in."

Did Stevenson have time to drive to the rim and perhaps tie the game with a 2-pointer? That option had been talked about during a late timeout. But Coale had no problem with a 3-point attempt because Stevenson was open.

"I looked up at the clock and time was winding down and I let it go. I let it fly," Stevenson said. "To me, it was going in. I was ready to start jumping up and down. And then it came right back out."



Jimmie Tramel 581-8389
jimmie.tramel@tulsaworld.com
By JIMMIE TRAMEL World Sports Writer

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3 comments have been made for this team so far. Tell us what you think below!
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Arbythree, Tulsa (4/6/2009 9:35:27 AM)
As often is the case, it did not need to come down to one final shot. The Sooners played well and I am proud, but we did have a huge lead at half that we let slip away.

Wonderful season Sooners. Good luck to the Paris sisters in their professional careers!!
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mkko, (4/6/2009 11:15:07 AM)
Congradulations to all the Oklahoma atheletes. Especially the ones who don't get the attention the ones who recieved the well deserved awards do. This young lady who had the nerve to take the last shot deserves an award. Joe C. you painted a masterpiece this year. Good luck to all our universities and their atheletes. It's great.
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im4osu, Broken Arrow (4/6/2009 3:09:43 PM)
Proud to be an Oklahoman.......GOOD JOB GIRLS, will get em next year
 

 
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