Tulsa World: Riley's scoring slide no problem

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Riley's scoring slide no problem

Oklahoma State guard Andrea Riley (right) has watched her scoring dip so far this season, but on Sunday she contributed with 10 assists in a win over TCU. Brody Schmidt/Associated Press

By LYNN JACOBSEN World Sports Writer
Published: 12/16/2008 2:28 AM
Last Modified: 12/16/2008 3:19 AM

Since scoring 29 points in the season-opening loss at Duke, Andrea Riley has seen her offensive numbers fall steadily over the past five games. The dip includes a season-low 15 in the team's only other loss, 65-51 at the University of Arkansas-Little Rock on Dec. 6.

It's not as if there is cause for concern. Riley averages a team-high 21.5 points this season and ranks fifth nationally in assists, averaging 7.5 per game.

Even while her shot hasn't fallen (30-of-111 for the season), she has found other ways to help her team. In Sunday's 85-80 home victory over Texas Christian, Riley logged 10 assists for the second time this season.

The Cowgirls look to extend that win streak Tuesday night with a home game against Oral Roberts. Tip-off is 7 p.m. at Gallagher-Iba Arena.

"I've always been about passing the ball first," Riley said in a phone interview on Monday. "My shots haven't been falling, but I'm not worried about it. Coach (Kurt Budke) tells me I look to get my teammates involved and my points will come."

Riley finished with 19 points and 10 assists in the win over the Horned Frogs for her second double-double of the season.

"I'm not worried about her points," the OSU coach said. "Andrea is distributing the ball very well and playing the best defense of her career. She's figuring out ways to help us until the shot comes around, and it will come around. She's a gamer. I'll take 19 points and 10 assists any game. What's happening is she is taking bad shots because we aren't executing our offense and as the shot clock winds down, she is forced to throw something up."

Sunday's victory was a huge stand for the Cowgirls following the loss to the Trojans a week earlier.

"That was a big step for us," Riley said of the five-point win over a ranked TCU squad. "We had a horrible experience at UALR. We had a long talk in the locker room, and there was a lot of passion. We came out with so much fire on Sunday."

Oral Roberts will look to snap the Cowgirls' 27 consecutive home nonconference win streak.

"Coach (Budke) reminds us to never overlook a team," Riley said. "We have to come ready to play. ORU beat Missouri State, which beat UALR. That was a big win for ORU. They can beat you if you go in thinking you've already won."

Junior Janae Voelker averages 18.4 points per game to lead the Golden Eagles. Newcomers Georgia Jones and Amy Pryor average 12.2 and 12.1, respectively.

Voelker scored a career-high 23 points in the 83-65 loss to the Cowgirls last season.

Oral Roberts takes a three-game skid into the game and has lost two straight at Oklahoma State.

Lynn Jacobsen 581-8461
lynn.jacobsen@tulsaworld.com By LYNN JACOBSEN World Sports Writer

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