No. 7/6 Oklahoma Rallies Past Buffaloes

BOULDER – University of Oklahoma All-American Courtney Paris had 26 points and 17 rebounds to rally the No. 7/6 ranked Sooners past the University of Colorado 82-67 in a Big 12 Conference game Saturday night at the Coors Events/Conference Center.

Senior Jasmina Ilic had a season-high 29 points for the Buffaloes, who fall to 8-9 overall and 2-3 in the Big 12. Oklahoma won its 24th straight game against a Big 12 foe, moving to 15-1 overall, 5-0 in league action.

Oklahoma shot 53.6 percent in the first half (15-of-28) and opened the game on a 24-8 run. Colorado fought back behind Ilic's 13 first-half points, cutting the Sooners' lead to eight at halftime (36-28).

Ilic's hot shooting continued early in the second half. She hit two 3-pointers to spark a 14-2 run that gave Colorado a 48-46 lead with 13 minutes, 3 seconds remaining in the game.

The Paris twins took over from there accounting for OU's next 13 points as the Sooners built their lead back up to 10 at 64-54 with just under eight minutes remaining. Courtney, who entered the game hitting just 54 percent from the foul line, hit 9-of-11 attempts in the second half and finished 10-of-13 for the game. Ashley Paris had 12 points, 10 of which came in the second half, eight rebounds and a pair of blocked shots.

Jackie McFarland had 17 points and 14 rebounds for her 11th double-double of the season and the 30th of her career which ranks third on CU's all-time list. Her 11 double-doubles only trail Courtney Paris' 16 in the Big 12.

Junior guard Susie Powers had six points, five assists and a career-high seven rebounds. Freshman Whitney Houston added seven points off the bench.

Colorado will continue Big 12 play by facing Oklahoma State University on Wednesday, Jan. 24, at 6 p.m. MST in Stillwater, Okla.