Raptors HQ, a Toronto Raptors community

It's a somewhat rare opportunity to see a women's basketball team put up a triple-digit score on an opponent. Last season at OCU, I witnessed this twice. And this year the Stars have scored at least 100 points in four games, including two in a row. After spotting the visitors a five-point lead in the early minutes of the game, No. 2 OCU went on to dismantle Oklahoma Christian, winning by a 57-point margin. [Side note: Oklahoma Christian is OU coach Sherri Coale's alma mater, if you didn't already know.] Offensively, the Stars had seven double-digit scorers and shot 51.9% from the field. Defensively, OCU forced 23 turnovers and held the Eagles to 28.6% shooting in the game. I had a word with coach Rob Edmisson about handing Oklahoma Christian its worst women's basketball defeat ever and he said, "We looked alright tonight, huh?" Um. I'd say.

The third-ranked OCU Stars got a rare in-season shot at No. 2 Union (Tenn.) in the Oklahoma Baptist Classic today. The last meeting between the two occurred in the 2010 NAIA National Tournament, where Union nipped the Stars 63-61 in the Final Four. Their previous loss was avenged as OCU benefited from 15 second-half points from senior guard Dietra Caldwell, a transfer from UTEP. The Stars trailed by as many as seven points in the first half before storming back in the second to come away with a 69-57 win. Despite shooting just 33 percent in the game, the Stars were able to capitalize on Union's 22 turnovers to remain a perfect 4-0 in the early goings of the season.

"It was a great game for our freshmen," OCU coach Rob Edmisson said. "When you have 81 bench points, everybody had a chance to play. We did a good job of continuing to share the ball." First, why is there no mercy rule in basketball? Second, holy cow. I know it's preseason basketball and all, but this seems absurd. Third, no Oklahoma media seemed to pick up on this story Saturday. I look to my first two points for valid reasons to perhaps overlook such a win, but really. Kudos to the OCU program for single-game program records for margin of victory (112 points), field goals (64), assists (51) and points allowed in a half (seven). This performance was also good enough for third on the NAIA listing for most points in a game and second for field goals made.

Oklahoma City University, ranked third in the NAIA, nearly pulled off an early upset in exhibition play over the Missouri Tigers. OCU had a chance to win the game, but Donica Cosby's three at the buzzer was in-and-out to give the Tigers the 68-66 win. If this game is any indication, I think we might be able to draw two conclusions. One, Missouri is going to struggle - again - this season after winning two exhibition games this week by a combined nine points. And two, people shouldn't sleep on OCU reaching the top of the NAIA this season.

The NAIA (National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics) just released their preseason ranking polls, with defending-champion, Union (Tenn.) taking the top spot. Not far behind are Azusa Pacific (Calif.) and Oklahoma City University, and Campbellsville (Ky.). 3rd-ranked OCU compiled a 32-4 record last season, including a 26-game winning streak that was halted in the NAIA semifinals against the eventual tournament champions. Returning for the Stars are all-Americans Donica Cosby and Starr Fairbanks, and among those joining the OCU squad this season are NCAA D-1 transfers Taylor Booze (from LSU) and Desiree Jeffries (from Oklahoma State). OCU will play Missouri in an exhibition game Nov. 7 in Columbia, Mo. Sooner Athletic Conference rival Oklahoma Baptist checks into the Top 25 at No. 8.