No. 3 Oklahoma 92, Eastern Kentucky 79
11/18/2006 1:25 AM
By BRIAN CHARLTON
Associated Press Writer
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HONOLULU (AP) -Oklahoma got off to a slow start before cruising to an easy win.
All-American Courtney Paris had 24 points and 16 rebounds for her 30th straight double-double to help the No.3 Sooners beat Eastern Kentucky 92-79 in the semifinals of the Waikiki Beach Marriott Classic on Friday.
``It was a good second game for us,'' Paris said after the first major test for the defending Big 12 champions. ``We just have to get more focused on defense.''
Ashley Paris, Courtney's sister, had 14 points and eight rebounds and Britney Brown and Amanda Thompson both added 10 points for Oklahoma (2-0).
The Sooners used their size advantage to outrebound the Colonels 55-35. However, Oklahoma shot just 16 percent on 3-pointers.
``We just had bigger, stronger players and that's how we won,'' Oklahoma coach Sherri Coale said.
Crystal Jones scored 25 points and Niki Avery added 21 for Eastern Kentucky (1-1) took a nine-point lead in first 5 minutes. However, the Sooners used a 14-1 run to erase the deficit.
``We didn't guard them at all,'' Coale said. ``We've got to improve defensively.''
With the score tied at 33, the Sooners used a 16-4 run to end the first half. Oklahoma didn't look back from there as it used its dominate inside game to put the game out of reach in the second half. At one point, Oklahoma led by 30.
Oklahoma was to face Hawaii, a 69-58 winner over Georgetown, on Saturday in the finals.
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