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December 13, 2012 | Record: 8-1 (0-0 Big 12) | Gameday Central | Stats

Stunning Support

Through phone calls, text messages and social media posts, the Sooner Nation revealed what it thought about Whitney Hand's legacy after the fifth-year senior and four-time team co-captain fell to the Lloyd Noble Center court with an ACL tear last week.

Thousands of messages poured in from across the nation via Facebook and Twitter as fans and competitors alike sent their well-wishes and thoughts.

"It made me realize if I could've played 30 more games, my legacy wouldn't have changed," Hand said. "It is what it is and I've done what I've done. Just because I don't get to finish how I'd like to doesn't mean I haven't gotten to experience and put my mark on this place like I really wanted to. That was really encouraging more than anything just to remind me that I have done something and that's not lost because I got hurt."

The overwhelming response is telling to what Hand has meant to Oklahoma women's basketball and the community.

"Even though it won't end on her terms the way she envisioned it, her impact has been maybe more indelible than any athlete we've ever had here," head coach Sherri Coale said. "It doesn't surprise me because that's the way the people of Oklahoma are. They just reach out when they feel moved. Obviously, Whitney's behavior and performances over the years have made them feel that way."

Kornet Sounds Off

Sooner Sports TV's Jessica Coody sits down with Nicole Kornet in this week's feature sneak peek from Sooner Basketball with Sherri Coale. The freshman guard shares what is was like growing up in a household that included a former NBA player and Emmy-award winning news anchor.

Be sure to check out the entire show on FS Southwest Friday at 2:30 p.m. Central and its replay on FS Oklahoma at 7:30 p.m.

Military Appreciation Ahead

The Sooners trained under the direction of a Navy SEAL during the preseason, they visited Pearl Harbor to kick off their week in Honolulu for a tournament at the University of Hawaii, and soon they'll get the local flavor of the U.S. military in action.

OU will tour Tinker Air Force Base in Midwest City, Okla., on Thursday, Jan. 10, and practice in front of active and retired military members that afternoon.

"It felt like the right time to reach out to those folks who are right here in Oklahoma who have been serving and will continue to serve to keep us safe," Coale said. "We're going to go there, practice, visit with folks, sign autographs, take pictures and let them know how much we appreciate what they do for us and that we're behind them 100 percent."

Oklahoma will then hold its Military Appreciation Game Saturday, Jan. 12, when Texas Tech visits the Lloyd Noble Center. More information on promotions will be announced soon.

Home for the Holidays

Following OU's Dec. 20 matchup with UC Riverside, many of the Sooners will return to their homes for the first time since July to spend time with their families around the holidays.

The Sooners share their plans for their time off during the Winter Break and what they most want to see Santa Claus deliver under their Christmas trees this year.

UP NEXT
The Sooners return from Finals Week looking to avenge a loss from last season when they host the Commodores Sunday:

Date	Opponent	Time
12/16	Vanderbilt	2 p.m.
12/20	UC Riverside	7 p.m.

Tickets | Full Schedule

MOST RECENTLY
Oklahoma captured its seventh straight win, matching its longest streak since the beginning of the 2010-11 season.

Opponent	W/L	Score
North Texas	W	71-68

QUOTABLE
Head Coach Sherri Coale
"I don't know if I've ever been prouder of a team in 17 years of doing this. Unbelievable determination and they revealed their mettle and their character.

"I have no words. I don't even know how they could think, much less change defenses and run sets and change matchups. They revealed their strength. They are a bunch of great kids. As tough as it is for our basketball team, it's tougher because it's devastating for Whitney.

"Nobody loves to play basketball anymore than Whitney Hand. I've never met a kid who loves to compete and play this game more than Whitney. The fact that she is denied that and has to endure again, is really hard for all of us to accept and understand. But I will promise you this, that group of warriors that showed up and finished the game, are going to fight their tails off every time they play. I guarantee you they will. They'll fight with Whitney's spirit and do everything they can. We're going to find a way to win basketball games.

"The people of Oklahoma will be really proud of this basketball team. If I was just Susie Q on the street and wanted to feel better about everything in my world, I'd buy a ticket to go watch the women's basketball team play."

TEAM NOTES

The Sooners will sign autographs shortly following Sunday's game. The team will be located in the upper concourse. Autographs are limited to one item per person.

Oklahoma rose to No. 12 in this week's AP poll, but was jumped by Tennessee in the Coaches' poll where it fell to No. 13.

OU's 30-for-40 free throw shooting versus North Texas was its highest mark since hitting 34-of-42 in a 107-76 win over Oral Roberts on Dec. 3, 2005.

Oklahoma's seven-game winning streak is its longest since opening the 2010-11 season with seven victories. Prior to that, OU's longest winning streak was 20 games, lasting from Dec. 3, 2008, to Feb. 21, 2009.

2012-13 Game Notes

INDIVIDUAL NOTES
Senior G Whitney Hand
Hand's collegiate career ended Dec. 6 when she tore the ACL in her left knee in the first half vs. North Texas. Hand amassed 1,211 points, 555 rebounds, 296 assists, 51 blocks and 120 steals in her 104-game career. She ranks third all-time at OU in minutes played per game (32.5), 19th in career scoring and fifth in 3-pointers made (164).

Junior C Nicole Griffin
Griffin totaled 12 of her 15 points, and all nine rebounds, in the second half as OU rallied to be North Texas. She entered the game with a season free throw success rate of 55 percent, but hit nine of 10, including all eight in the final period, to lead the Sooners' 71-68 victory.

Soph. G Sharane Campbell
Last year's Big 12 Sixth Man Award winner may not get the chance to defend her title. Campbell was inserted into OU's starting lineup before Hand's injury and will likely remain there. Campbell had 11 points and two assists vs. UNT.

SOCIAL MEDIA
Stay connected with the OU women's basketball team by following us:

Twitter: @OUWomensHoops
Instagram: @ou_wbasketball