No. 13/8 Oklahoma defeats Rogers State, 94-53, in exhibition play.
The Sooners’ starters showed little rust in their exhibition opener Wednesday night.
NORMAN, Okla. -- Whitney Hand and Nyeshia Stevenson combined for 46 points as Oklahoma (No. 13 AP/No. 8 Coaches) cradled the Rogers State Hillcats, 94-53.
Oklahoma sprung to a 28-4 lead by the second media timeout and led 62-24 at halftime.
“We have to get better at playing the whole game regardless of the situations and doing what we do and when we can,” OU head coach Sherri Coale said. “We showed our immaturity, passed up some shots in the second half, and missed three or four layups.”
Hand was 9-of-14 from the field and made five of her six 3-pointers and all four free throws. The sophomore also matched Amanda Thompson with a team-high eight rebounds.
Stevenson, now in the role of a full-time starter, scored all 19 of her points in the first half.
“I wasn’t contested that much so I was wide open and I knew I wouldn’t get more open than this so I just took it,” Stevenson said. “I was a little uneasy during warm-ups because the ball was going all over the place but I didn’t give up I just keep shooting.”
Danielle Robinson ran the offense exceptionally, finishing the game with 11 assists and no turnovers. Robinson had six games with double-digit assists last season, setting an OU record.
Lyndsey Cloman and Joanna McFarland made their collegiate debuts for the Sooners. Cloman scored four points and grabbed two rebounds while McFarland had eight and five, respectively.
“They were real freshmen tonight,” Coale said, “like deer in the headlights but they will relax and get accustom to it. They are going to have to perform for us.”
The Sooners complete their exhibition schedule Tuesday, Nov. 10, against Oklahoma Christian. The game tips off at the Lloyd Noble Center at 7 p.m.
