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The Honolulu Advertiser
Posted on: Sunday, December 14, 2008

No. 5 Oklahoma rallies to stun Cal, 86-75

Associated Press

Hawaii news photo - The Honolulu Advertiser

Oklahoma's Courtney Paris (3) reacts to a foul she committed while defending California's Alexis Gray-Lawson, right, in the first half.

DARRYL BUSH | Associated Press

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SAN JOSE, Calif. — Oklahoma coach Sherri Coale had a tough time summing it up, still stunned by her team's remarkable rally. California coach Joanne Boyle broke down, emotionally spent and embarrassed.

"One of the craziest games I've ever been a part of," Coale said. "Complete role reversal from one half to the other."

Reserve Nyeshia Stevenson hit back-to-back 3-pointers and gave Oklahoma its first lead of the game with 3:43 to play, and the fifth-ranked Sooners made an improbable comeback from a 26-point halftime deficit to shock No. 9 Cal, 86-75, last night in the Basketball By The Bay Classic.

Cal led 69-52 before Oklahoma (8-2) closed the game with a 34-6 run.

Stevenson finished with 21 points and Courtney Paris had 18 points and 13 rebounds to extend her consecutive streak of double-doubles dating to her freshman season to 102.

Cal's focus this season has been on finishing. Especially after the Bears (6-2) lost a heartbreaker to George Washington at the final buzzer in the second round of the NCAA tournament last season.

"It's the thing that we wanted to improve on," said Boyle. "I told them in there, I've never as a coach lost a 30-point lead, so I obviously didn't do my job to coach to prepare them to be in that situation."

NO. 2 N. CAROLINA 95, COASTAL CAROLINA 44

CHAPEL HILL, N.C. — Italee Lucas scored 17 points and reserve Jessica Breland had 12 points and 10 rebounds to propel the Tar Heels (10-0) over the Chaticleers (6-3) for their 26th straight win in Chapel Hill and their 73rd straight at home against nonconference opponents.

NO. 3 STANFORD 100, FRESNO STATE 62

STANFORD, Calif. — Freshman Nnemkadi Ogwumike scored 19 points in her first career start, Reigning Pac-10 Freshman of the Year Kayla Pedersen added 21 points and five assists and the Cardinal (7-1), following a two-week break for finals, rolled past the Lady Bulldogs (0-6).

NO. 4 TEXAS A&M 94, TEXAS STATE 45

COLLEGE STATION, Texas — Tyra White scored 10 of her 15 points in first half as the host Aggies, off to a school-record 9-0 start, led 23-2 midway through the first half and 50-21 at halftime in cruising past the Bobcats (4-5).

NO. 8 NOTRE DAME 63, VALPARAISO 55

VALPARAISO, Ind. — Melissa Lechlitner scored 12 of her 18 points in the second half and Ashley Barlow added 15, including a key 3-pointer, as the Fighting Irish (8-1) sealed the win over the Crusaders (4-3) with a 13-4 run.

NO. 10 BAYLOR 63, SAMFORD 51

WACO, Texas — Danielle Wilson scored 15 of her 19 points in the first half and the Lady Bears (9-1) saw a 23-point lead early in the second half trimmed to four before holding off the the Bulldogs (6-3) for their 100th non-conference victory under coach Kim Mulkey.

NO. 21 PURDUE 82, IONA 65

Brittany Rayburn tied a career high with 22 points to lead four teammates in double figures as the Lady Boilermakers (6-4) snapped a three-game losing streak with a victory over the Gaels (8-3) at West Lafayette, Ind.

NO. 16 PITTSBURGH 85, WEST VIRGINIA STATE 37

Shayla Scott had 14 points and 14 rebounds, and Kate Popovec added 17 points and 10 rebounds as the Lady Panthers (7-1) took control early in the second half and never were threatened in cruising past the Yellow Jackets (5-3) in Pittsburgh.