Texas Tech University Athletics
Texas Tech Athletics
Vanderbilt
Texas Tech Tops No. 3 Vanderbilt, 81-71
December 29, 2001 | Women's Basketball
Dec 29, 2001
LUBBOCK, Texas (AP) - Texas Tech's outside shooting extended its winning streak.
Amber Tarr scored 23 points, and Natalie Ritchie added 21 as 13th-ranked Texas Tech beat No. 3 Vanderbilt 81-71 Saturday for its sixth straight victory.
"Ritchie and Tarr had both their feet under them, set, looking at the basket," Commodore coach Jim Foster said.
Tarr went 4-of-8 on 3-pointers, while Ritchie was 5-of-12.
"They knew they couldn't sag off on anybody on the outside," Tarr said.
Tech (8-2) looked good heading toward Wednesday's Big 12 opener against Kansas.
"Now we have to go back it up," Lady Raiders coach Marsha Sharp said. "We gained a lot of confidence. This is a big statement for our team."
Tech staved off a second-half comeback by the Commodores, seemingly coming up with a 3-pointer whenever Vanderbilt (11-2) got close. Tech put the game out of reach with a 14-6 run in the middle of the second half.
"We made a lot of big shots, got in our comfort zone and were able to win," Sharp said.
Zuzi Klimesova and Chantelle Anderson each scored 26 points to lead Vanderbilt, which had won eight games in a row.
The Lady Raiders denied Vanderbilt the outside shot, allowing it only one 3-pointer.
"This game was much more about defense, or lack thereof, than our offense," Foster said.
Up against a taller team, Tech used its quickness to move the ball around the perimeter and score from the outside. Texas Tech scored only 14 points inside the paint.
"We feel good about being able to attack from the perimeter," Sharp said. "We stepped up and made plays in all positions."
Jia Perkins added 17 points and had nine assists for Tech, while Ritchie put up half the Lady Raiders' 24 3-pointers.
Tech led 37-28 at halftime.
