Whitney Hand Returns for OU in Loss

TCU upsets 14th-ranked Oklahoma, 76-69.

Thursday, May 26th 2011, 12:07 pm

By: News On 6

Originally Published: Jan 2, 2011 8:16 PM CDT

Grant Belcher
Oklahoma Sports Staff Writer

FORT WORTH, Texas – The Lady Frogs spoiled what would otherwise be a triumphant night for OU guard Whitney Hand.

TCU pulled off a 76-69 victory against the Sooners on Sunday in Fort Worth, the same day that Hand returned from a long recovery after an ACL tear last year.

It was the first time Hand had set foot on the court for a game in 401 days, but she played as if she did not miss a beat. She posted a career-high 24 points and also led the Sooners with 11 rebounds.

But Whitney Hand’s return was overshadowed by the Lady Frogs’ stunning upset, which handed the Sooners their third loss of the season.

TCU’s Emily Carter put up 26 points and Helena Sverrisdottir added 24 to lead the Lady Frogs to the victory.

The two seniors combined for 12 of the team’s final 13 points as the Lady Frogs outscored the Sooners 13-6 over that span.

Oklahoma jumped out to an early lead and led by as many as nine in the first half before holding a 32-28 halftime lead. Hand scored 17 of her 24 points in the first half.

TCU came out to start the second half with a 7-1 run, and the teams shared nine ties and eight lead changes through the remainder of the contest.

Danielle Robinson added 17 points for the Sooners, who shot just 34 percent from the field in the game.

OU has now lost two of its past three, but will look to bounce back on Saturday, Jan. 8 against Nebraska. Tipoff is set for 2 p.m. in Lincoln.