Mississippi too frantic for Sooners

DAYTON, Ohio – Mississippi’s frantic and frenetic defense sure bothered Courtney Paris and Oklahoma.

Next up, the surprising Rebels will try to run top-seeded Tennessee out of the tournament.

Armintie Price scored 31 points and Ashley Awkward added 25 for Ole Miss, which fastbreaked and trapped its way to a 90-82 win over Oklahoma on Sunday in the Dayton Regional.

The Rebels (24-10) will face the Lady Vols on Tuesday night, with a spot in the Final Four awaiting the winner.

“We are looking forward to that,” Price said of the rematch. “We know a lot about Tennessee. They’re a championship team. They’ve been here many times. We’re just going to do what we do best, which is run, and try to get them a little bit bothered.”

The Rebels came out running and never stopped, denying passes, harassing shooters and trapping surprised Sooners whether they were in the corner or the middle of the floor.

Averaging 18 turnovers a game, Oklahoma had 15 by halftime and finished with 26. The Rebels piled up 16 steals.

Paris led Oklahoma (28-5) with 31 points and 20 rebounds. Chelsi Welch and Britney Brown each added 11.