No. 18 Oklahoma 77, Stephen F. Austin 55

NORMAN, Okla. (AP) _ Maria Villarroel had 27 points and nine rebounds as No. 18 Oklahoma proved too strong inside and defeated Stephen F. Austin 77-55 Thursday night. <br><br>The Sooners (6-2) outscored

Friday, December 6th 2002, 12:00 am

By: News On 6

NORMAN, Okla. (AP) _ Maria Villarroel had 27 points and nine rebounds as No. 18 Oklahoma proved too strong inside and defeated Stephen F. Austin 77-55 Thursday night.

The Sooners (6-2) outscored the Lady Jacks 38-10 in the paint and outrebounded them 48-24.

Oklahoma controlled the game from the start and led by as many as 19 points in the first half. Villarroel paced the Sooners with 16 points in the first 20 minutes, and Theresa Schuknecht scored six of her 20 points during OU's 11-4 late first-half run.

Dionnah Jackson added 16 points for the Sooners, who led 41-24 at halftime.

Stephen F. Austin attempted to rally in the second half, closing within 11 points on a pair of free throws by La Toya Mills with 7:29 left.

But Schuknecht made short jumpers on consecutive possessions to put OU up 67-52 with 6:06 left to put the game out of reach.

Britany Vinson and Nathesia Wright had 13 points apiece to lead Stephen F. Austin. Mills finished with 11 points.