No. 9 Oklahoma 77, Illinois 67

12/5/2007 11:04 PM

CHAMPAIGN, Ill. (AP) -Oklahoma relied on a freshman in its first road test of the season.

Danielle Robinson had 14 points and a career-high seven steals to lead No. 9 Oklahoma past Illinois 77-67 on Wednesday night.

Courtney Paris had 22 points and 14 rebounds, extending her streak of double-doubles to 68 consecutive games for the Sooners (5-2). Jenna Plumley had 12 points and Nyeshia Stevenson added 11.

However, it was Robinson who led the game's decisive stretch. She scored eight points in a 16-3 run in the second half, lifting the Sooners to a 70-57 lead with 3:36 remaining. Robinson also had back-to-back steals for layups in the stretch.

``She changed the game, no doubt,'' Oklahoma coach Sherri Coale said. ``She used her speed and athleticism, and let her defense create her offense.''

Paris scored 16 in the second half as Oklahoma broke open a close game and won its fifth straight after opening the season with neutral-court losses against No. 3 Maryland and No. 1 Tennessee. Wednesday marked the first time Oklahoma played on an opponent's home floor.

Chelsea Gordon scored 16 to lead Illinois (6-3). Jenna Smith and Danyel Crutcher added 15 points apiece.

Smith's basket with 7:56 left drew Illinois even at 54. However, Robinson's jumper keyed Oklahoma's run, and her defense helped the Sooners pull away.

``I take a lot of pride on defense and I figure I can get in the passing lanes,'' Robinson said. ``They were being soft with ball, saw those opportunities and ran with it.''

The Sooners scored the final eight points of the first half for a 29-23 halftime lead, holding the Illini scoreless for 5 1/2 minutes. Ashley Paris, who added 10 points, scored inside before Stevenson hit back-to-back 3-pointers in the final minute of the half.

Oklahoma eventually pushed the lead to 48-40 before the Illini rebounded.

Smith scored six points to help Illinois tie it at 54 before Robinson's flurry.

``Her last three steals were crucial,'' Illinois coach Jolette Law said. ``She was the difference-maker in the game.''