women's basketball
After Kansas win, OU women's basketball optimistic against Texas Tech
Against Kansas on Saturday night, the Sooners looked like a team poised to make a deep postseason run.
The Sooners came out energized and determined to win, playing with passion and an unbreakable focus despite Kansas’ best efforts at making a comeback late in the second half.
The win against Kansas meant much more than just another conference victory — the Sooners honored four seniors on Senior Night and two played key roles in defeating Kansas.
Senior guard Jasmine Hartman made her first start of the season a memorable one. In front of her family on Senior Night, she immediately set the tone for the Sooners, grabbing a steal within the first 30 seconds of the game to put the Sooners on the board first. She would go on to score a career-high 18 points and help lead the Sooners to victory.
Hartman wasn’t alone, Senior forward Joanna McFarland played an outstanding game as well. She recorded her 10th double-double in conference play which is second behind the Big 12’s leader, Baylor senior center Brittney Griner.
McFarland’s physicality and effort has been the fuel that ignites the fire. The Sooners will be relying on McFarland physical presence when they face Texas Tech at 7 p.m. Monday at United Spirit Arena in Lubbock.
McFarland expects a physical game and knows that teams will do whatever it takes to win.
“Every game in the Big 12 is physical,” she said. “At this point in the season its expected, teams are just fighting that much harder to get the win.”
The Red Raiders (21-8, 11-6) are currently third in the Big 12, and are coming off a loss to Kansas State. The Sooners hope to carry their momentum into Lubbock and hand the Red Raiders their second consecutive loss to end the season.
Coach Sherri Coale is looking forward to ending the season on a high-note, but she’s not taking the game against Tech lightly.
“This league is unbelievable, everything is still up in the air,” she said. “Our kids have to remain focused on our next game, and continue to look forward if we want to continue this success.”
Coming off a physical win against Kansas, the Sooners will only have a day to recover before traveling to Lubbock. However, Junior center Nicole Griffin does not seemed worried about the quick turnaround.
“We have had earlier turnaround than just a few days before, so I think we will be fine,” she said. “A lot of people are contributing more and have been playing so well, so we should be fine.”
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