Vatican by Day, Big Win at Night

May 13, 2008

ROME, Italy -- The University of Oklahoma women's basketball team toured Vatican City Monday on day three of its 10-day European tour.

The Sooners toured the Vatican Museum, Sistine Chapel and St. Peter's square beforing departing for Rome suburb Zagarolo for its game against Lila Palestrina.

Box Score

Did You Know? The Italians claim the Vatican Museum is the largest in the world. The French, disagree, however, claiming the Louvre is the largest. Not all areas of the Vatican Museum are open to the public.

Follow the Sooners' trip online at SoonerSports.com. Players will provide daily journals and photo galleries. Game recaps will also be available.

Today, Rose Hammond describes her visit to the Vatican.

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After a good night's sleep, we woke up bright and early for breakfast this morning. I have to admit, it was a different experience knowing 8 a.m. was 1 a.m. back home. Being on a 24-hour clock is difficult to adapt to but a good learning experience was in store this day.

After visiting the Colosseum the day before, I was ready to learn and see more about the history of Rome. We took a bus to visit to the Vatican City and I was super excited to explore the museum. When we arrived, there were at least 2,000 people already in line.

Our tour guide, Fabio, told us about the museum on the way over and we learned that it was the biggest in the world and that the Vatican is a state of its own, independent of Italy.

We learned much about its history during the tour as well. There were countless painting and sculptures -- it was beauty like I have never seen. I think I took at least 200 pictures, knowing there was no way to capture everything. We toured the museum for about two hours and it didn't even feel like we were close to seeing everything.

My favorite pieces were Michelangelo's paintings of Adam and Eve and Jesus. Growing up, I learned who Michelangelo was but didn't understand his importance until now. His artwork is amazing and you could definitely see how much better he got through time. I think everyone was just in awe after visiting the museum; it was certainly an inspiring experience.

At lunch, I experienced my first on-the-street purchase while walking back to the bus. Ashley talked me into buying a silk hair scarf. My first thought was no because I wasn't planning on spending any Euros on anything but food (plus the scarf was 10 Euro and as cheap as I am I was sure I didn't want to buy it). But Ashley talked the lady into going down on the price so I finally gave in. I paid three Euro. The lady followed by halfway to the bus, trying to get me to buy another. I blame Ashley for that, but I'm glad I bought the scarf.

That evening we played our first game of this tour. It was kind of funny getting used to the international rules -- 24-second shot clock, eight-second backcourt and different free throw rules -- but the game was exciting and we played well.

The referees called traveling on us at least eight times and we couldn't argue because they didn't understand English. They called some fouls really tight too -- Abi fouled out early in the third quarter.

After the game we went to McDonald's. I've never been more excited in my life to eat there. I love my American food so McDonald's was good at the time. I could have eaten four cheeseburgers if I would have had 50 Euros. Overall, it was a very fun day. I can't wait to see what happens tomorrow.

Later,
Rose Hammond, #31

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University of Oklahoma 98, Lila Palestrina 56
May 12, 2008 | Box Score

ZAGAROLO, Italy -- The University of Oklahoma proved to be too quick and too big for Liga Italia club team Lila Palestrina Monday night, winning the friendly contest 98-56.

The American team adapted to international rules interpretations while the Italian squad learned the difficulty of playing against post players Ashley and Courtney Paris and Abi Olajuwon.

Palestrina scored the game's opening points with two free throws by Alessandra Ciminelli before Ashley Paris knotted the score on the next possession. The lead was the only the Italian team would see as Oklahoma quickly opened the score to 12-2 and finished the first quarter with a 27-14 advantage.

A 69 percent first-half shooting effort subside any worries that the morning's walk through the Vatican might hamper the team's energy as OU used a 36-9 second quarter advantage to lead 63-23 at the half.

Every Sooner scored and played at least 10 minutes as head coach Sherri Coale practiced liberal substitution. Courtney Paris led with 13 points and 10 rebounds. Nyeshia Stevenson and Danielle Robinson each had 11 and Rose Hammond, Abi Olajuwon and Jenna Plumley scored 10 apiece.

Elonora Lascala led Palestrina with 24 points, including a 17-of-22 effort from the free throw line. Beatrice Consoli scored nine.

Palestrina had difficulty matching the Americans size, with OU outscoring the Italians 60-16 in the paint, and speed as the Sooners grabbed 14 steals, including five by Robinson.

University of Oklahoma Athletics

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