OU Women Hold Off Late Push by TCU

Originally Published: Nov 21, 2009 5:46 PM CDT

Recap | Box Score

Corey DeMoss
Oklahoma Sports Staff Writer

NORMAN, Oklahoma – The Oklahoma women’s basketball team recovered from its first loss of the season with a 74-70 victory over TCU Saturday.

Abi Olajuwon scored a career-high 23 points, while Danielle Robinson scored 16 and Whitney Hand added 11.

The Sooners’ (2-1) struggles behind the 3-point line continued, as they shot just 27 percent from beyond the arc. However, Olajuwon made 11 of her 15 shots.

TCU (2-1) led 36-34 after the first half thanks to sloppy OU play. The Sooners committed 12 first-half turnovers and made just two of 12 3-pointers. Olajuwon kept OU in by scoring 16 points in the half.

Robinson helped lead the Sooners on a 10-0 run as the second half began, quickly retaking the lead for OU. The Horned Frogs came back to tie it, but OU freshman Joanna McFarland gave the Sooners the lead permanently with slightly less than 13 minutes remaining in the game.

TCU made a late charge and cut the lead to 72-70, but Robinson made two free throws to seal the victory for OU.

Starr Crawford and Helena Sverrisdottir each recorded double-doubles for TCU. Crawford led the Horned with 19 points and 13 rebounds, while Sverrisdottir added 14 points and 10 rebounds.

The Sooners will travel to the Virgin Islands for their next game against South Carolina on Nov. 26 as part of the Virgin Islands Paradise Jam.