Texas Tech University Athletics
Mississippi State-Texas Tech Preview
March 17, 2002 | Women's Basketball
March 17, 2002
GAME: No. 12 Mississippi State (19-11) vs. No. 4 Texas Tech (19-11).
REGIONAL: West Regional, Second Round.
TIME: Sunday, 8:36 p.m. EST.
SITE: United Spirit Arena, Lubbock, Texas
LaToya Thomas has helped carry Mississippi State this far.
Now, the Bulldogs' leading scorer and rebounder would like to lift the Bulldogs into their first Sweet Sixteen.
However, Thomas and the Bulldogs will first have to pull off a second straight upset as they take on Texas Tech in the second round of the NCAA tournament on Sunday.
Thomas scored five points during a late 7-0 run Friday, capping a brilliant 27-point, 15-rebound performance that led the Bulldogs to a come-from-behind 65-59 triumph over No. 5 seed Boston College.
"We got the jitters out," said Mississippi State senior Jennifer Fambrough. "Sunday, we will come out more focused and able to play all 40 minutes."
Thomas, the SEC player of the year, was focused from start to finish on Friday.
She hit 9-of-14 shots and was a dominant inside presence throughout as Mississippi State advanced to the second round for the second time in its three NCAA tournament appearances.
The Bulldogs are the lowest seed of the eight SEC teams that qualified for the field of 64, but if Thomas remains hot, they could quickly become the darlings of the tournament.
However, the Lady Raiders aren't the least bit interested in seeing the Bulldogs' run continue.
Texas Tech is bidding for its fourth straight trip to the Sweet Sixteen, and will also be looking to improve on an impressive 16-1 mark in NCAA tournament games played on its home floor.
The Lady Raiders made quick work of Stephen A. Austin in the first round on Friday as Tanisha Ellison scored a career-high 20 points in an easy 84-63 rout of the overmatched Ladyjacks.
Ellison connected on 7 of 9 shots and also ripped down nine rebounds for the Lady Raiders, who have won eight straight sub-regional games.
"Coach (Marsha) Sharp has told us that anything we do now can change how our entire season went," said Texas Tech forward Jolee Ayers, who had 12 points and 10 boards on Friday.
"It's going to be how we finish. If we win one more game, we're in the exact same place we were last year. Right now, it's not about the season we just played, it's about what's ahead of us."
The winner of Sunday's contest will advance to the West Regional semifinals in Boise, Idaho.
PROBABLE STARTERS: Mississippi State - F Fambrough (12.4 ppg, 5.8 rpg), F Thomas (24.9 ppg, 9.7 rpg), F Keisha Stringfellow (4.2 ppg, 3.1 rpg), G Tan White (19.0 ppg, 7.4 rpg), G Renae Jones (4.6 ppg, 1.8 apg). Texas Tech - F Ayers (9.1 ppg, 6.6 rpg), F Amber Tarr (11.8 ppg, 4.1 rpg), C 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: Mississippi State - At-large bid, Southeastern Conference, beat Boston College 65-59, first round. Texas Tech - At-large bid, Big 12 conference, beat Stephen F. Austin 84-63, first round.
ALL-TIME TOURNAMENT RECORD: Mississippi State - 2-2, 3 years. Texas Tech - 23-13, 15 years.
