Spring Break
Sooners lead Big 12, travel to Reed
By: T.D. Durham
Issue date: 2/23/09 Section: Sports
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The game marks the first time two Big 12 women's teams will compete on an ESPN2 Big Monday Showcase.
The Sooners, 24-2 overall, have not lost to a Big 12 team in 2008-2009. Oklahoma is coming off an eight-point victory against No. 5 ranked Baylor on Saturday.
The defensive stand against the Lady Bears opened up an opportunity for the Sooners to claim an early share of the Big 12 conference regular season title. If Oklahoma can win in College Station on Monday, it will mathematically give the Sooners at least a tie for the title.
A&M holds a 20-5 record in 2009, its fourth consecutive 20-win season under Head Coach Gary Blair.
The previous time the two teams met, the Aggies dropped a 12-point decision in Norman, Okla. A&M was held to 59 points in the contest with only two players scoring more than five points.
Senior guard Takia Starks, who leads the team in points per game, scored 19 in the loss. The All-American candidate said the quick turnaround against the Sooners will be good practice for the short turnaround in the NCAA tournament.
"We're looking at the game to be a big test," Starks said. "It will really prepare us for the NCAA tournament."
A&M has been on a defensive stand against opponents, forcing 29 turnovers against the Longhorns on Saturday, but will face a Sooner team that averages a 49.1 field goal percentage and 79 points per game.
Oklahoma leads the all-time series between the two teams with a record of 25-11, but A&M has won its previous two home games against the Sooners by double-digit margins.
"This is going to be very special," Blair said. "To have two national television games in a row. We've been looking forward to this weekend all year long."
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