Texas Tech University Athletics
Texas Tech Athletics
Perik Jumpers (Netherlands) (Exhibition)
Lady Raiders Dominate Exhibition 86-32.
November 04, 2003 | Women's Basketball
Nov. 4, 2003
PATRICK GONZALES
A-J SPORT EDITOR
Alesha Robertson always dreamed of playing for the Texas Tech women's basketball team.
When she finally got her chance Tuesday, her performance was nothing short of a fantasy.
In her first game action of the season, the highly touted freshman from Plainview stole the show by scoring a team-high 20 points and grabbing five rebounds in the Lady Raiders' 86-32 victory over the Perik Jumpers in an exhibition game at United Spirit Arena.
Robertson displayed her entire repertoire for the home fans, slashing to the hole, running the floor and nailing a 3-pointer as well. She added two blocks, a steal and was a perfect 7 of 7 from the free-throw line.
"The thing we've probably been most impressed about is how many ways she can score," Tech coach Marsha Sharp said. "She can take it to the rim and she can get a long ways from the 3-point line and score there, too. We were thrilled to finally give her a chance to get out there and hopefully get rid of some nerves."
Robertson admitted to being a little nervous initially, but it didn't take her long to ditch the butterflies. She looked really poised in the second half, when she scored 16 points in 12 minutes.
"I think after the first couple of shots I took, I started getting more comfortable," Robertson said. "I've been waiting for this moment for a long time. It was fun tonight, and all I could think about was having fun."
It also took a while for Tech's starting five to find a groove as well, as they trailed 4-2 within the first three minutes of the game. The Lady Raiders responded with a 15-3 run sparked by balanced scoring, and the lead never dipped to single digits the rest of the way. Senior Jia Perkins started the spurt with a jump shot from the elbow and Casey Jackson, Natalie Ritchie, Erin Grant, Chesley Dabbs, Jametra Clark and Robertson each had at least one point during the run.
Tech dominated the second half, holding the Jumpers, a travel squad from the Netherlands, to just seven points, including one in the final 14:17.
"I thought the first half we were too tentative and maybe a little to worried to make a mistake and didn't really go play as hard as we needed to," Sharp said. "I'm proud of the way we came back after halftime and fixed that. I thought we played a lot harder and took a little more chance on the defensive end."
But beside unveiling Robertson and fellow freshman Brooke Baughman on Tuesday night, the Lady Raiders also debuted their new motion offense.
The results varied. Tech's perimeter players thrived in the new look, as they combined to score 58 points, many of which came on open looks and easy shots in the paint.
Sharp, however, was disappointed with the production from the low-post players both on offense and defense. Part of the reason for the lack of production may have been because Tech played with trapezoid lanes usually found during international play. The game also was played with the 3-point line nine inches further than usual, all as part of an experiment by the NCAA, which is thinking about making the two changes for good next season.
"We weren't physical enough tonight, and we're going to have to get more physical than we were," Sharp said. "I was really disappointed in the first half in our ability to control defensive rebounds. I thought that was some post play that we really needed to get involved there."
Perkins finished with 19 points, while Jackson added 11 points and seven rebounds. Ritchie rounded out the double-digit scores with 10, including two 3-pointers.
Baughman had three points, five rebounds and six assists in her Lady Raider debut.
Tech will continue exhibition play at 7 p.m. Monday against the Houston Jaguars.
