Texas Tech University Athletics
Stephen F. Austin-Texas Tech Preview
March 13, 2002 | Women's Basketball
March 13, 2002
GAME: No. 13 Stephen F. Austin (24-5) vs. No. 4 Texas Tech (18-11).
REGIONAL: West, First Round.
TIME: Friday, 10:35 p.m. EST.
SITE: United Spirit Arena, Lubbock, Texas.
Texas Tech coach Marsha Sharp wasn't sure how the NCAA tournament selection committee would look at her team's 11-loss season.
Clearly quality counts more than quantity as the Red Raiders earned a No. 4 seed in the West and will play host to the first two rounds of a sub-regional, starting with No. 13 Stephen F. Austin.
"On one hand, we had the second-best schedule in the country and beat more Top 25 programs than we ever have," Sharp said. "But still, I wasn't sure how they would feel about those 11 losses.
"There's so much respect for our conference. I don't think I've ever felt as prepared for the tournament as I do this year."
Stephen F. Austin was also pleased with the selection committee, despite going 24-5 and having a 19-1 conference mark.
"I'm not disappointed with the fact that we are a No. 13 seed," SFA head coach Lee Ann Riley said. "I like the fact that we are playing in the state of Texas so that some of our fans can be at the game. We are going to play a program that has a tremendous reputation, is a really good team and they have a lot of fan support. It's an uphill battle but we are excited about the challenge."
This will be the 10th meeting between Texas Tech and Stephen F. Austin with Tech holding a 6-3 advantage. The last time the teams met was March 13, 1999 in Lubbock with the Lady Raiders winning 80-54 the first round of the NCAA tournament.
The winner of this game will face the winner of the game between No. 5 Boston College and No. 12 Mississippi State on Sunday.
PROBABLE STARTERS: Stephen F. Austin - F Chaquita Dillworth (12.2 ppg, 6.8 rpg), F Amy Collins (8.9 ppg, 5.7 rpg), C Latisha Prater (10.7 ppg, 8.1 rpg), G Jessica Guild (11.5 ppg, 3.6 rpg), G Nathesia Wright (10.0 ppg, 4.6 rpg). Texas Tech - F Jolee Ayers (9.1 ppg, 6.6 rpg), F Amber Tarr (11.8 ppg, 4.1 rpg), C Tanisha Ellison (4.6 ppg, 4.4 rpg), G Candi White (3.5 ppg, 2.4 rpg), G Jia Perkins (16.2 ppg, 4.9 rpg).
HOW THEY GOT HERE: Stephen F. Austin - Automatic bid, Southland Conference tournament champion. Texas Tech - At-large bid, Big 12 conference.
ALL-TIME TOURNAMENT RECORD: Stephen F. Austin - 9-15, 15 years. Texas Tech - 22-13, 14 years.
