On a two-game winning streak, OU women’s hoops (12-5, 4-2 Big 12) turns its sights to a familiar foe that also is the nation’s top-ranked team.

But to any of the members of the basketball team, the showdown between the Sooners and No. 1 Baylor Bears at 7 tonight at Lloyd Noble Center will be just business as usual.

“This game is really just a conference game on our home floor, and we know how important those are,” coach Sherri Coale said. “It’s honestly no different than any other conference game.”

Coale has transferred her cool-headed demeanor to her players, who will be going up against Baylor coach Kim Mulkey and Co.

Following Wednesday’s final practice before the two teams were set to collide, Coale had her team forgetting about last year’s heartbreaking one-point loss the Bears dealt to the Sooners in Norman.

“It’s such a different year, and we’re not thinking redemption,” junior guard Whitney Hand said. “We’re thinking this is the Big 12, and you protect your home court in this conference. We don’t want anyone to come in here and beat us.”

And that type of focus is exactly what this Sooner team with an adolescent lineup will need going up against a Baylor team that is showing no love to its opponents.

But Coale knows what her team will be facing when it hits the court.

As a team, the Bears’ (19-0, 6-0 Big 12) performances this season have been nothing short of spectacular, led by junior All-American center Brittney Griner and her 22.7 points and 10.3 rebounds per game. Griner also is the national leader in blocks, averaging 5.3 denials per game.

“There are particular challenges with Baylor as there are with every team,” Coale said. “And what are you going to do about Brittney Griner? Well, you try to limit the touches because she’s going to score 20 if she wants to.”

As a team, Mulkey has the Bears’ offense ranked third in scoring, averaging 81.7 points per game, while the defense is holding opponents to a mediocre 51.6 ppg.

But OU is looking to take over the deadlocked 5-5 record in the past 10 matchups and improve its current conference position, which currently is a share of second place.

And the Sooners have a 10-6 home advantage going into tonight’s game, something Coale feels is an opportunity for a young team that is projected to start three sophomores and one freshman to get “baptized by fire” on its home court.

“I think it’s good sometimes to go into games like this with young guys who don’t know what they don’t know,” Coale said.

And while the Sooners will need their underclassmen to rise to their top level tonight in order to be victorious, the team’s defense also will need some help from the starters at the post positions.

Sophomore center Nicole Griffin knows the type of assignment she will have going into tonight’s game but isn’t intimidated by any part of it.

“We know they’re No. 1, but this is what we came to college for: big games like this,” Griffin said. “It’s just another opportunity to get better and potentially knock off the No. 1 team.”

Tonight’s matchup also will feature Cheer Like a Champion festivities, which include a whiteout of Lloyd Noble.

The nationally-televised game is set to air on Fox Sports Network (Cox Channel 37).