Editor's note: Oklahoma's Stacey Dales, a Kodak All-American in 2000-01, will share a weekly diary with ESPN.com throughout the season.

Jan. 30, 2002

After a rocky start against Oklahoma State on Tuesday, we came out with a victory. It was a typical Bedlam battle, and it was fun to play. I thought OSU did a good job preparing for us and made it tough to get a win on their floor. We were a little frenzied at the onset of the game and lacked some leadership, but once we came out of our funk and found our rhythm, we were fine. If definitely felt good to come away with a win from Gallagher-Iba Arena.

	Stacey Dales was the 2000-01 Big 12 Player of the Year.

On a personal level, I felt a sense of urgency midway through the first half of the game. I thought someone needed to set the tone for the team, and I made a decision that I was going to be the one to do that. I think Dionnah Jackson played a great game and that Rosalind Ross hit some crucial shots for us. Even though LaNeishea Caufield was in foul trouble, she came up with some good touches and hit a big 3-pointer. There are going to be some nights when the team's shooting is a little off, and Tuesday was that night for us. Caton Hill may not have scored as many points as she usually does, but she played an excellent defensive game to make up for that.

Well, enough about girls and on to Valentine's Day. Right now, Chris, my fiancé, and I don't have any plans. At this point, we have learned not to make any plans because basketball never fails to change them. Chris usually finds a way to surprise me with something. I enjoy the little holidays because they remind me of home and the things I did growing up in Canada. It makes me miss the winters there, the people and my family. I know if I didn't have Chris in my life here I would probably be homesick a lot. But he is already like family to me so it makes things easier being away from my parents and the place where I grew up.

Enough about boys; I had better get back to basketball. We had Wednesday off and we are going to spend the rest of the week preparing for Kansas. We have a string of three home games, and five of our last eight regular-season games are at home. We spent the majority of the beginning of the season on the road, so it's nice to get back to Norman for a while.

When you play on your home court, you have the sixth man, you get to sleep in your own bed and eat your own food. All around, it just makes things easier for you, especially not having to travel. I also enjoy Saturday games more than anything. You don't have to go to class, worry about homework or anything. You just take that day to focus solely on basketball, and more people are able to come out to the game because it's on the weekend.

So, you had better be at Lloyd Noble on Saturday when we take on the Jayhawks. You only have four more chances to see us play at home after Saturday's game!

Go Sooners!

For more on Stacey Dales and the Sooners, visit Oklahoma's official athletic site.