Twins Power Sooners To Big Win, 107-44

NORMAN, Okla. (AP) -- Courtney Paris' Oklahoma debut couldn't have gone any better -- except maybe for the pregame introductions.

The 6-foot-4 freshman who was the USA Today and Naismith high-school player of the year last season had been told to run to center court when her name was called.

"I heard, 'freshman from Piedmont,' and I thought, 'OK.' I started giving fives and I ran out there," Paris said. "I'll never forget that."

The public address announcer was actually introducing her twin sister, who's also from Piedmont High School in California, but Courtney ended up stealing her thunder.

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"She's always trying to do that," Ashley Paris said, smiling.

Once the game got started, it was all smooth sailing.

Courtney Paris scored 25 points and pulled down 20 rebounds and Ashley Paris, who's 2 minutes older, added 20 points and 23 boards as Oklahoma beat Oklahoma Christian 107-44 Thursday night in the exhibition debut for the two highly touted freshmen.

The Sooners, who've appeared in six straight NCAA tournaments, have high hopes this season after the addition of the twins, who were both McDonald's All-Americans this year. Courtney was the game's MVP.

Courtney Paris brings a post presence the Sooners haven't had the past few seasons, and her sister, who's one inch shorter and plays outside more, adds another scoring and rebounding threat.

They combined for 27 points and 20 rebounds in the first half, including all of Oklahoma's points as the Sooners outscored the Eagles 16-10 in one first-half span to build a 23-13 lead.

"We're quite different," Oklahoma coach Sherri Coale said. "When these guys are getting a rebound a minute ... it changes everything."

The Parises just missed that distinction. They totaled 41 rebounds in 42 minutes.

Leah Rush, Oklahoma's leading scorer a year ago, scored eight straight points as Oklahoma put away the game with a 12-1 run to close the first half. The Sooners led 51-26 at halftime and then scored the first 17 points of the second half.

Tasha Turney hit a free throw with 14:43 left to end Oklahoma Christian's scoreless stretch, and her basket 24 seconds later ended a field-goal drought that lasted more than eight minutes.

Courtney Paris sat out the final 7:32 after the Sooners had built a 49-point lead. Her sister exited the game at the same time, but came in 16 seconds later when center Beky Preston fouled out.

Rush finished with 15 points and Chelsi Welch added 11 for Oklahoma, which outrebounded its NAIA opponent 65-27.

Lauren Decker scored 14 points to lead Oklahoma Christian, and Turney had 11.

Oklahoma has played an exhibition game against Oklahoma Christian, Coale's alma mater, each of the past five years. The Sooners have won all five games by an average of 38 points.

The Sooners won't play another preseason game before opening the regular season Nov. 11 against Wisconsin-Milwaukee in the preseason WNIT.