Texas Tech University Athletics
Lady Raiders Take On Mississippi State In NCAA Second Round
March 16, 2002 | Women's Basketball
March 16, 2002
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NCAA Tournament - Second Round - West Region
No. 4 seed #17/17 Texas Tech Lady Raiders (19-11)
vs.
No. 12 seed Mississippi State Lady Bulldogs (19-11)
March 17, 2002 * Lubbock, Texas * 7:36 p.m.
Television - Fox34 (locally)/ESPN Fullcourt - NCAA Productions
United Spirit Arena (15,050)
Sunday's Game
No. 4 seed and 17th-ranked Texas Tech will take on No. 12 seed Mississippi State in the second round of the NCAA Tournament of the West Region on Sunday, March 17 at 7:36 p.m. at the United Spirit Arena. The winner of the game will advance to the Sweet 16 in Boise, Idaho.
The Lady Raiders
Texas Tech is 19-11 on the year and finished the Big 12 with an 8-8 record. The Lady Raiders are led in scoring by sophomore Jia Perkins at 16.3 points a game and senior Amber Tarr at 11.6. Sophomore Natalie Ritchie is averaging 11.0 points. Sophomore Jolee Ayers is averaging 6.7 rebounds per outing, while freshman Cisti Greenwalt is averaging 6.4. Perkins has a team-high 81 steals and senior Candi White leads the team in assists with 134. Greenwalt is the top shot blocker with 58 blocks followed by Ayers with 28. Ellison is shooting 56.9 percent from the field and Ayers is shooting 51.5 percent, while Tarr is shooting 37.8 percent from three-point range. On the year, the Lady Raiders are shooting 43.9 percent from the field, 34.3 percent from the three-point arc and 64.3 percent from the free throw line.
Scouting the Opponent
No. 12 seed Mississippi State enters the game with a 19-11 record after beating No. 5 seed Boston College, 65-59, in the first round of the NCAA Tournament. In that game, All-American junior LaToya Thomas scored a game-high 27 points and grabbed a game-high 15 rebounds. Freshman Tan White added 15 points. Junior Renea Jones added three assists and four steals, while White also had four steals.
On the year, Thomas paces the Lady Bulldogs in scoring with a 24.9 average followed by White at 18.9 and senior Jennifer Fambrough at 12.1. Thomas is the top rebounder, grabbing 9.8 boards per outing. White has team highs of 132 assists, 87 steals and 28 blocks. MSU is shooting 46.5 percent from the field, 37.2 percent from three-point range and 72.7 from the charity stripe.
Sharon Fanning is in her seventh season at the helm of the Lady Bulldogs, establishing a record of 116-89. She is also in her 26th year as a head coach with an overall record of 438-315.
Series Record
It is the first meeting between Texas Tech and Mississippi State.
Common Opponents
Texas Tech and Mississippi State had two common opponents this season. Both teams played conference foes in Iowa State and Vanderbilt. Tech beat Vanderbilt, 81-71, in Lubbock Dec. 29 and then won at Iowa State, 78-66, Jan. 19. MSU lost at Iowa State, 87-74, Nov. 23 and then lost at Vanderbilt, 72-53, Feb. 10.
Texas Tech in the NCAA Tournament
Texas Tech is making its 15th appearance in the NCAA Tournament and its 13th-consecutive bid into the event. The Lady Raiders have advanced to the Sweet 16 seven times, the Elite Eight three times, the Final Four once and won the National Championship in 1993. Tech is hosting the first and second rounds for the fifth-straight year.
A Win Sunday Would...
...give Tech a 20-11 record.
...mark Tech's fourth-straight time to advance to the Sweet 16.
...give Tech a 9-3 record in second round NCAA Tournament games.
...give Marsha Sharp her 479th career victory.
Lady Raider Head Coach Marsha Sharp
One of the most respected and well-known coaches in Texas Tech history, head coach Marsha Sharp is 478-152 in her 20th year at the helm of the Lady Raiders. Entering the 2001-02 season, Sharp was the seventh active winningest coach among Division I coaches. She has led the Lady Raiders to 14 NCAA Tournament appearances, including 12 consecutive, and eight NCAA Sweet 16 and three Elite Eight appearances and the NCAA National Championship in 1993. Sharp led the Lady Raiders to three-straight Big 12 Conference regular-season titles (1998-2000) and two tournament crowns (1998, 1999). While in the SWC, coach Sharp and the Lady Raiders never finished below third, they won or shared the last five championships, and they captured three Post-Season Classic titles.
A 1974 graduate of Wayland Baptist University, Sharp was named the National Coach of the Year in 1993 and 1994. She also reaped SWC Coach of the Year honors seven times, five consecutively.
Last Time Out
(AP) - Tanisha Ellison scored a career-high 20 points, and Jolee Ayers had a double-double as Texas Tech beat Stephen F. Austin 84-63 Friday night in the first round of the NCAA West Regional.
Tech (19-11) had five players in double figures and never trailed, jumping out to a 14-5 lead. The 13th-seeded Ladyjacks shot only 2-for-11 in the game's first eight minutes.
Stephen F. Austin (24-6) got back into it with a 9-4 run before Tech went on a 15-8 spurt during which Ellison scored her 11 first-half points.
Tech will play Mississippi State on Sunday night in the second round of the West Regional. The Lady Bulldogs beat Boston College 65-59 in the first game Friday night.
It was the ninth straight NCAA first-round win for the fourth seeded Lady Raiders.
Ayers scored 12 points and had 10 rebounds, Jia Perkins added 19. Natalie Ritchie had 12 points, and Cisti Greenwalt had 11 for Tech.
Chaquita Dilworth scored 22, and Nathesia Wright added 11 to lead the Ladyjacks.
Tech 9-3 in First Round
Texas Tech is 9-3 in NCAA Tournament first round games after beating Stephen F. Austin, 84-63, last Friday. Tech has now won nine-straight first round games.
Looking for 20th Win
A win on Sunday would give Texas Tech its 20th 20-win season and its 13th-straight 20-win season. Tech also had three 30-win seasons within those 13-straight 20-win seasons.
Tech First Big 12 School to Win at All League Schools
With Texas Tech's win at Iowa State, Jan. 19, Tech became the first school in the league to win at least one game at all Big 12 schools since the formation of the Big 12 Conference.
All-Conference Honors
Sophomore Jia Perkins was named second team All-Big 12, while senior Amber Tarr was an honorable mention selection by the Big 12 coaches. Perkins was also named second team All-Big 12 by the Dallas Morning News, Austin American-Statesman and San Antonio Express-News. Perkins was selected to the Kansas City Star's All-Defensive team, while sophomore Jolee Ayers was selected to its All-Improved team.
Lady Raiders 3-6 on TV
Texas Tech is 3-6 on regional or national television after losing to Baylor in the quarterfinals of the Big 12 Tournament on Fox Sport Net. Tech lost at Duke on ESPN and beat Vanderbilt on syndicated television, while beating Texas on Fox Sports Net and Wisconsin on espn2. Tech lost at Texas on Fox Sports Southwest, while losing at Kansas State, at home against Colorado and at Oklahoma on Fox Sports Net.
Tech vs. Top 25
Texas Tech is 5-8 against teams in the top 25 this year after losing at to No. 7 Baylor in the quarterfinals of the Big 12 Tournament March 6. The Lady Raiders have wins over Vanderbilt, Baylor, Iowa State, Texas and Wisconsin and losses against Duke, Oklahoma (twice), Texas, Kansas State, Colorado and Baylor (twice).
7-0 When 50 Percent or Better
The Lady Raiders are 7-0 this season when shooting 50 percent or better. Tech shot at least 50 percent against Kansas (50%), Baylor (50.7%), at Texas A&M (57.4%), Wisconsin (54.2%), Nebraska (55.1%), Missouri (52.7) and Stephen F. Austin (57.1%) to win all seven games.
Career High for Ellison
Senior Tanisha Ellison poured in a career-high 20 points against Stephen F. Austin in the first round of the NCAA Tournament. Ellison's previous high was 19 points against Texas A&M on Feb. 19, 2002.
Sixth Double-Double for Ayers
Sophomore Jolee Ayers had her sixth double-double of the year with 12 points and 10 rebounds vs. Stephen F. Austin in the first round of the NCAA Tournament. It also marked her second straight double-double as she had 18 points and 10 rebounds vs. Baylor in the quarterfinals of the Big 12 Tournament. Ayers also tied her career-high three blocks against SFA and Baylor.
Daniels Sees High Minutes
Freshman LaTosha Daniels came off the bench to record a career-high 19 minutes of play against Stephen F. Austin. Daniels' previous high was 14 minutes against Missouri in the Big 12 Tournament.
11 Lineups in 30 Games
Texas Tech has used 11 different lineups in its 30 games this year. Senior Tanisha Ellison and sophomore Jia Perkins have started 29 games and senior Amber Tarr has started 25. Senior Candi White has 20 starts, while sophomore Casey Jackson has 13. Sophomore Jolee Ayers has 10 starts and sophomore Natalie Ritchie has eight. Freshman Cisti Greenwalt has seven.
Academic Honors
Senior Amber Tarr was named second team Verizon Academic All-District VI on Feb. 21, while she, sophomores Jolee Ayers and Casey Jackson and senior Candi White were named first team Academic All-Big 12 on Feb. 26. Senior Tanisha Ellison was named second team Academic All-Big 12.
Greenwalt Eighth on Single-Season List
Freshman Cisti Greenwalt now ranks fifth on Tech's all-time single-season list in blocks with 58 blocks. Crystal Boles stands in fourth with 62, which occurred during the 1995-96 season.
Ellison, Tarr Dish Out
Senior Tanisha Ellison recorded a career-high five assists against Baylor in the Big 12 Tournament, while senior Amber Tarr tied her season high of six assists. Ellison also tied her season-high three steals against the Lady Bears. Ellison's previous career high in assists was four against Baylor earlier this year.
White Ties Career High Assists
Senior Candi White tied her career-high 10 assists vs. Missouri in the first round of the Big 12 Tournament. White also had 10 assists against New Mexico Dec. 4, 2000.
Getting 100
Seniors Tanisha Ellison and Amber Tarr captured their 100th-career win at Texas Tech with the win over Nebraska. As freshmen, they won 30 games, while winning 28 as sophomores, 25 as juniors and 19 so far as seniors for a total of 102 career victories. Tech's other senior, Candi White, was a junior college transfer and has won 44 games as a Lady Raider.
99 For Lady Raiders
Texas Tech's 99 points against Nebraska was a season-high for the Lady Raiders. Their previous season high was 95 against Southern Miss and Texas A&M. It was the second-straight game Tech had scored over 90 points. It also marked the most points Nebraska had allowed since Penn State scored 102 points on Jan. 2, 1993 in State College.
Third Time for 21 - New 3-point High
Sophomore Natalie Ritchie tied her career-high 21 points, while setting a career-high six three-pointers against Nebraska. It was the third time this season Ritchie has recorded 21 points.
Jackson Career High Boards
Sophomore Casey Jackson grabbed a career-high 12 rebounds against the Huskers. Her previous career high was 10 at Kansas State earlier this year.
Career Highs for White and Daniels
Senior Candi White and freshman LaTosha Daniels both scored career highs against Nebraska. White tallied 12 points, while Daniels scored eight. White's previous career high was 10 points on three occasions. Daniels' previous career high was three points twice this season.
23 on the 23rd
Sophomore Jia Perkins scored 23 points against Nebraska on Feb. 23. It was also Perkins' 20th birthday. She has scored 20 or more points on 10 occasions this season.
Tech Finishes Non-Conference with 9-2 Mark
Texas Tech finished its non-conference season with a 9-2 record after beating Wisconsin in the Big 12/Big Ten Challenge. Tech is now 4-0 all-time against the Badgers.
Big 12 Player and Rookie of the Week Honors
Sophomore Jia Perkins and senior Amber Tarr have both garnered Big 12 Player of the Week honors this year, while freshman Cisti Greenwalt was named Big 12 Rookie of the Week. Perkins received the honor Jan. 2 for her play over the Christmas Break, while Tarr was honored Jan. 21 for her performances against Baylor and at Iowa State. Greenwalt received her honor Feb. 25.
School Record 3s
Texas Tech set a school record for most three-point baskets in a game with 12 at Iowa State. Tech's previous record was 11 against the Cyclones in 1999.
NCAA Stats
As of games through March 4, freshman Cisti Greenwalt ranks 21st in the country in blocked shots per game with a 2.3 average, among all NCAA Division I players. In three-point field goal percentage, senior Amber Tarr ranks 32nd at 39.9 .
RPI
As of games through March 9, Texas Tech was ranked 11th in the final regular-season WBCA/Summerville RPI (rate percentage index). Tech also ranks second in the country in strength of schedule.
Lady Raiders in the Polls
Since January 20, 1992, the Lady Raiders have been ranked in the Top 25 in the Associated Press and/or the USA Today poll a total of 194 weeks. That includes this week's polls of 17th in the AP poll and 17th in the USA Today/ESPN poll.
