Women's Hoops Beats Longhorns, 65-54

Feb. 28, 2001

By JIM VERTUNO
AP Sports Writer

AUSTIN, Texas - With the Big 12 title already wrapped up, No. 7 Oklahoma had little to play for other than pride and a winning streak.

Unfortunately for the Longhorns and their NCAA tournament hopes, the Sooners decided both were important.

Oklahoma hit its first five shots of the second half as the Sooners opened up a 12-point lead on their way to a 65-54 victory Wednesday night. Stacey Dales led the Sooners with 17 points, 10 rebounds and nine assists.

The Sooners' 15th consecutive win may have dealt a serious blow to Texas' NCAA tournament hopes. At 19-11 overall and 7-9 in conference play, the Longhorns likely need a strong performance in next week's Big 12 tournament to secure a bid.

Texas was in a similar situation last year when the No. 6-seed Longhorns won three straight to advance to the tournament title game. Texas lost the championship game to Iowa State, but the performance was good enough to secure an NCAA bid.

"We have to get our confidence back," Texas forward Tracy Cook said. "I think we'll go into next week knowing we need a one or two big wins to get into the tournament."

Texas probably could have secured a spot Wednesday night with a win. The Sooners, the nation's fourth-highest scoring team at 84.4 points per game, led 24-23 at halftime.

Texas shot just 8-of-34 in the first half, but kept it close by forcing 12 Sooners turnovers.

"I was glad we were playing on the road because we play complacent at home, a little satisfied maybe," Dales said. "I think it was a subconscious thing and we needed to face some adversity to prepare us (for the postseason)."

Sunny Hardeman snapped the Sooners out of the funk with her 3-pointer on the first possession after halftime. Oklahoma hit four straight shots after that and LaNeishea Caufield's two foul shots made it 37-25.

"I have to give Texas a lot of credit for making the first half ugly for us," Oklahoma coach Sherri Coale said.

"Sunny hitting that 3-pointer to start really helped us relax and take a breath," she said.

Rosalind Ross' 3-pointer and a short jumper made it 45-31 Oklahoma with 10:52 to play. The Sooners went 5-of-9 from long range after halftime.

Texas managed to cut the lead back under 10 and trailed 60-54 with 51 seconds left after Kaira White hit consecutive baskets.

Caufield and Dales then hit five of six foul shots for the final margin. Caufield had 13 points, and Hardeman 11 points and five assists for Oklahoma.

White had 15 points for Texas, which shot just 33 percent, including 1-of-18 from 3-point range.

"We just couldn't make the plays when we needed them on offense," Texas coach Jody Conradt said. "Sometimes you need a break or two and we haven't had many of those offensively."

University of Oklahoma Athletics

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