No. 2 Oklahoma 84, Hartford 52

<br>NORMAN, Okla. (AP) _ Second-ranked Oklahoma made Hartford's first NCAA tournament appearance a brief one, getting 14 points from Caton Hill in an 84-52 victory Saturday night in the West Regional.

Sunday, March 17th 2002, 12:00 am

By: News On 6

NORMAN, Okla. (AP) _ Second-ranked Oklahoma made Hartford's first NCAA tournament appearance a brief one, getting 14 points from Caton Hill in an 84-52 victory Saturday night in the West Regional.

The top-seeded Sooners (28-3) put their balance on display, getting double-figure scoring from four players and harassing Hartford into 22 turnovers. They advance to play Monday night against Villanova, which beat Pepperdine 67-46.

Hartford (16-15) had won nine of 11 coming in and got the NCAA berth by winning the America East Conference tournament. But the Hawks had no answer for Oklahoma's superior quickness and athleticism.

Stacey Dales and LaNeishea Caufield scored 13 points, and Dionnah Jackson had 10 for Oklahoma. Hartford was led by Dorcas Miller with 13 and Kenitra Johnson with 12.

The Sooners opened with 3-pointers from Rosalind Ross and Dales. At the other end, Hartford turned the ball over on its first three possessions and missed its first three shots before Miller hit a 3.

Oklahoma was sloppy early, committing five turnovers in the first 5 1/2 minutes. But when Caufield made a layup at the 14:02 mark, it started an 18-0 run in which the Sooners scored on eight of nine possessions and got baskets from six players.

Hartford, meanwhile, was 0-for-5 with four turnovers and fell behind 29-5. Oklahoma pushed the lead to 28 later in the half and led by 23 at halftime.

After Oklahoma scored the first five points of the second half, Hartford got no closer than 24.