Houston Roundball Review Archive: February 2007 - Sherri Coale and Gary Blair after Ags win over Sooners

Saturday, February 10, 2007

Texas A&M (19-4, 9-2) defeated Oklahoma (18-4, 8-3) 78 to 68 at Reed Arena before 4,620 fans.

Today's win by the Aggies completed a regular season sweep over the Sooners.

A&M's starting backcourt (Takia Starks and A'Quonesia Franklin) evenly split 50 points.

Both players were outstanding in the ball game.

Starks scored 17 of her 25 points in the first half to help the Aggies to a 37 to 29 halftime lead while Franklin scored 20 of her 25 points in the second half to help the Ags to the 10-point victory.

Franklin added 10 assists and committed just one turnover in 38 minutes of action.

The Sooners turned the ball over 24 times in the game.

Guard play is definitely a concern for the Sooners and head coach Sherri Coale.

After trailing by eight at halftime, Oklahoma got the ball inside to Courtney Paris -- the best low post player in women's college hoops -- early and often in the second half.

Paris scored nine of OU's first 12 points in the second half to help OU tie the game at 39 with 17:47 left in the game.

The game went back-and-forth the next few minutes; however, the momentum swung to the Aggies with the scored tied at 50 with 13:23 left because Courtney picked up her fourth foul of the game.

She checked out of the game; and, the Aggies took advantage by going on a 11 to 4 run over the next five minutes and five seconds.

Franklin scored five points during the run for the Aggies.

Courtney returned to the game with 7:03 left in the game; but, Franklin hit a jump shot at the 6:36 mark to give the Aggies a 63 to 54 lead.

However, Courtney began to make an impact over the next few minutes as she scored eight points to help bring the Sooners within three points (67 to 64) with 2:29 left in the game.

Franklin responded with a jump shot; and, after a turnover, Starks drained two free throws to give the Aggies a seven point (71 to 64) lead with 91 seconds left in the game.

Courtney Paris finished the game with 25 points and 14 rebounds.

Post-game comments from Coach Coale and Aggies head coach Gary Blair.

Sherri Coale: "...A&M's guard play was outstanding..."..."

Gary Blair: "Every game is "the biggest game"

Listen to more archived MP3s.