NORMAN, Okla. - Courtney Paris is never at a loss for points or rebounds but Friday night she was at a loss for words.

Paris became Oklahoma's career scoring leader, passing Phylesha Whaley during the second-ranked Sooners' 70-57 victory over No. 18 Arizona State in the semifinals of the Preseason Women's NIT. The Sooners will host No. 4 North Carolina at 2 p.m. Sunday in the championship game.

Paris has scored 2,189 points in 103 games; Whaley scored two fewer in 116 games. The record breaker came with two minutes remaining when she scored from the low post on the right side. A minute later, the announcement was made to "stick around for a special presentation" after the game.

Paris finished with 19 points with 20 rebounds, her 100th consecutive double double. When asked if she gets tired talking about her astonishing numbers, Paris went through several facial expressions, a couple of "ums" and finally said: "I don't know."

"It's a cliche, but I couldn't have done it (the scoring record) without my teammates getting me the ball and also myself for missing so many shots and getting the rebound and scoring," she said with a smile.

Her coach had a much better answer.

Sherri Coale began her Sooners coaching career the same year that Whaley started her career. An undersized post player, Whaley helped rebuild a program that was nearly abolished. Coale called Whaley "the foundation" of the program.

So what does that make Paris?

"I guess, the second, third and fourth floors ... the Eifel Tower, maybe," Coale said, making an unforced but clever reference on the senior's last name. "Courtney's presence in this program will be felt long after she's gone. We talk about all the records she's set. It's almost common place. Look at the boxscore, she had 20 rebounds. I mean who has 10 offensive and 10 defensive boards in a game? It happens for her all the time."

What hasn't happened during Paris' time as a Sooner is a national championship or even a Final Four trip. The 6-4 senior is a stat-sheet stuffer who yearns for her team to win a title. It's not about the numbers, it's about the nets (and cutting them down).

Arizona State's defensive game plan was to deny Paris the ball. Sybil Dosty, a 6-3 senior, spent most of the game guarding the Sooners' star.

"She's very tough to guard," Dosty, one of three Sun Devils who took turns checking Paris. "It's incredible that she's had 100 consecutive double doubles but it's not unbelievable."

Paris' first shot came 16 minutes into the game. Coale shook her head when Paris was asked about that. "Only you guys (media) would notice that," she smiled, "it's us against them."

"They're big girls, they tried to be physical and were fronting me," Paris said. "I think a few times we tried to force it and turned it over."

The Sooners were sloppy, committing 21 turnovers (eight by point guard Danielle Robinson) and shooting just 42.6 percent from the field. OU overcame Paris' slow start thanks to sophomore reserve Carlee Roethlisberger (Ben's younger sister) who scored all 12 of her points in the first half.

"I think that's the difference in our team this year," said Paris, who made 8-of-11 shots and had six blocks. "Other players are stepping up when someone is struggling and we have a lot of depth."

Sun Devils coach Charli Turner Thorne coached Paris during last summer's Olympic Trials and her team lost to the Sooners last season by 12 points.

"Oklahoma is a tremendous basketball team that can score from all five positions," she said. "This could be a tremendous year for them. If you control the boards you control the game and we didn't do that."

Thanks to Paris and her sister Ashley (10 points, 10 rebounds), the Sooners had a 47-35 rebounding edge.

So, how do you keep Courtney Paris from dominating the boards and the low post? Turner Thorne answered the way many opposing coaches have the last three-plus seasons.

"You don't."