Hand-less Sooners Handle Mavericks

Norman- Nobody told Carlee Roethlisberger the Sooners were supposed to struggle after losing standout sophomore and co-captain Whitney Hand to a season ending injury. The junior, who was starting just her second game in place of Hand, scored a career high 29 points in a blowout of UT- Arlington. She also grabbed 7 boards as OU out rebounded UT- Arlington 51-29. Said Coach Coale of Roethlisberger: "I thought that she did a great job of filling in for Whitney Hand. I thought that she really played for Whitney and played inspired as teammates should." Even though Roethlisberger knows that no one can replace Hand, she admitted that she was excited to finally get her chance. "I have been waiting, I've been practicing hard," She said, "Coach (Coale) has been giving me the go ahead." The Sooners are going to need the best from Carlee as they enter a tough stretch in their schedule that includes Arkansas, Marist, and Tennessee. Nyeshia Stevenson added 21 points, 2 off a career high, and Amanda Thompson and Abi Olajuwan grabbed 10 and 8 rebounds, respectively. OU struggled in the first half, leading by only one at the break. But the Sooners broke out in the second, out scoring the Mavericks 58- 26.