Austin, Texas ? When Oklahoma’s biggest and best player was struggling, it was the Sooners’ youngest and smallest starter who pushed them through the first round of the NCAA Tournament.

Freshman Jenna Plumley, all 5-feet, 4-inches of her, had 20 points behind six three-pointers and Leah Rush scored 19 to lead the third-seeded Sooners to a 74-60 victory over Southeast Missouri State on Saturday.

The opening game of the Dayton Regional was much tougher than expected for the heavily favored Sooners (27-4).

Southeast Missouri State (24-8) kept it close by keeping the ball from Oklahoma center Courtney Paris, one of the country’s most dominating players, and a hot shooting start from Sanya Daugherty.

Paris had 13 points and 11 rebounds for her 59th consecutive double-double but had one of her worst career games.

Dallas Regional

Texas A&M 58, Texas Arlington 50

Los angeles – The Aggies avoided another first-round upset to an intrastate opponent.

Danielle Gant scored 20 of her 24 points in the second half and grabbed 14 rebounds to help fourth-seeded Texas A&M (25-6) beat 13th seed Texas Arlington in a first-round game.

Iowa State 79, Washington 60

Minneapolis – Nicky Wieben scored 11 of her 18 points in the second half to lead the sixth-seeded Cyclones into the second round.

Iowa State (26-8) overcame a shoddy start by shutting down Huskies star Cameo Hicks early.

Hicks finished with 19 points for Washington (18-13), but missed seven of her first nine shots.