The University of Texas at Austin Athletics
University of Texas
Oklahoma City University (Exh.)
No. 2 Women's Basketball defeats Oklahoma City University 99-36
11.05.2017 | Women's Basketball
Texas' 30-0 run in the second half held OKC scoreless for 13:37
Box Score | Post Game Quotes | Photo Gallery
AUSTIN, Texas – Junior Jatarie White paced her team with 17 points and nine rebounds, as one of five Texas players to score in double-figures, and the No. 2/6 Texas women's basketball team defeated the No. 1 (NAIA) Oklahoma City Stars in a 99-36 exhibition win on Sunday at the Frank Erwin Center.
As a team, Texas shot 44.8 percent (39-of-87) from the floor and held Oklahoma City to just 14-of-55 shooting from the field (25.5 percent). UT also outmatched the Stars on defense by winning the points off turnover battle 40-7 and holding the rebounding edge 57-34.
"It was good to get back in the Erwin Center," Texas head coach Karen Aston said. "It was a long summer and fall for our players and it's always good to get in game mode. I was really pleased with our energy and that we were really trying to pay attention to the detail of what we were trying to accomplish defensively. Offensively we executed fairly well, missed a lot of easy shots, but those happen when you're anxious and going too fast. Otherwise, I was fairly pleased with what we looked like today. I think we have a lot to build on this year."
Junior Lashann Higgs and senior Brooke McCarty joined White in double digits. Higgs registered 14 points and dished out four assists. McCarty scored 16 points, including three three-pointers, five steals and three assists. Freshmen Destiny Littleton and Rellah Boothe saw their first action for Longhorns, scoring 11 points apiece, while Boothe added a game-high 10 rebounds.
The Longhorns opened the game by scoring the first seven points after baskets from Higgs and White. Oklahoma City was able to pull within four at 19-15, but Texas used a 21-8 run to storm ahead (40-23) with 4:09 remaining in the quarter. UT closed the half scoring nine consecutive points after a layup from McCarty. The Longhorns headed into the locker room with a 49-25 lead.
Texas continued to pull away from OCU in the second half opening with an 11-2 run after a McCarty steal and finish in the open-court, forcing the Stars to call a timeout. The Longhorns went on a 30-0 run spanning 13:37 minutes in the third and fourth periods, opening a 72-27 cushion.
The Texas defense held Oklahoma City to just a 21.7 (5-of-23) shooting percentage in the second half and forced 20 turnovers.
Senior Daniela Galindo led OCU with 12 points.
UT will be back at the Frank Erwin Center to kick-off the 2017-18 campaign next Sunday, November 12, against the Stetson Hatters. Tip-off is scheduled for 1 p.m. CT and the game will be televised nationally on Longhorn Network.
