Mississippi's Pressure Gets To Oklahoma

DAYTON, Ohio (AP) Oklahoma's run in the NCAA women's basketball tournament ends because the Sooners can't handle Mississippi's pressure defense.<br/><br/>Against OU Sunday in a Sweet 16

Monday, March 26th 2007, 3:39 pm

By: News On 6

DAYTON, Ohio (AP) Oklahoma's run in the NCAA women's basketball tournament ends because the Sooners can't handle Mississippi's pressure defense.

Against OU Sunday in a Sweet 16 game, the Rebels came out running and never stopped, denying passes, harassing shooters and trapping surprised Sooners whether they were in the corner or the middle of the floor.

Averaging 18 turnovers a game, OU had 15 by halftime and finished with 26. The Rebels piled up 16 steals in their 90-82 win.

Courtney Paris led OU with 31 points and 20 rebounds. Chelsi Welch and Britney Brown each added 11 points for the Sooners, who never led after the 15-minute mark of the 1st half.

It didn't take long for Paris to realize that the Rebels had ratcheted up the pace of the game.

She says that if she had wanted to play that fast, she would have gone to Mississippi.

OU closes at 28-5, while Ole Miss is 24-10 heading into the regional final Tuesday against a 31-3 Tennessee squad.