Texas Tech University Athletics
Texas Tech Athletics
Nebraska
No. 7 Texas Tech Topples Nebraska, 50-35
February 26, 2003 | Women's Basketball
Feb 26, 2003
By ERIC OLSON
Associated Press Writer
LINCOLN, Neb. - On a night Texas Tech couldn't find any rhythm on offense, the seventh-ranked Lady Raiders relied on their defense to beat Nebraska 50-35 on Wednesday night.
After the teams played even through the first 20 minutes, Tech switched to its little-used zone defense.
The result: Nebraska made just three field goals and scored only seven points the first 17 minutes of the second half. By then, the Lady Raiders' win was secure.
"It was what allowed us to win the game," Tech coach Marsha Sharp said. "We've practiced the zone a lot, but we haven't run it very much this year. It helped us change the tempo and maybe change their shot selection some."
The Huskers shot a season-low 24.5 percent - 18.1 percent after halftime.
Jia Perkins scored 19 points and Plenette Pierson had 14 of her 15 rebounds in the second half for the Lady Raiders.
Tech (23-3, 12-2 Big 12) fell 28 points short of its league-leading scoring average and shot a season-low 33.3 percent. But the Lady Raiders still won easily after being tied at 22 with the last-place Cornhuskers at halftime.
Cisti Greenwald added eight points and 10 rebounds for the Lady Raiders.
Nebraska (8-17, 1-13) made only four field goals in the second half and 12 for the game as it recorded its lowest point total since its program was elevated to varsity status in 1975.
Alexa Johnson and Margaret Richards led the Huskers with 14 points and eight rebounds apiece.
The difference in the game was turnovers. Nebraska's 24 turnovers led to 30 Tech points.
"We lack skill on the offensive end, and it kills us," Nebraska coach Connie Yori said. "Tonight it was evident. Sixty percent of their points were from our turnovers."
Pierson, fourth in the Big 12 at 17.8 points a game, picked up two quick fouls before even getting off a shot and played only three minutes in the first half. She didn't score until 3:07 into the second half and finished with five points.
Perkins picked up the slack, scoring 13 points in the first half.
The Lady Raiders missed 12 of their first 15 shots while falling behind early.
They had no answer for Johnson in the early going. Johnson scored eight points in the first nine minutes to help the Huskers take a 16-8 lead.
Miklannet Tennal hit a 3-pointer and Casey Jackson converted two steals into layups as Tech went ahead 17-16 with 6:47 left in the half.
"When we're not shooting well, we really have to concentrate on playing defense," Jackson said. "I like to play defense. I tried to get a couple steals and speed up the game a little bit."
Richards' layin as the shot clock was about to expire gave the Huskers a 22-21 lead - and ended a six-minute field-goal drought - with 42 seconds left in the half.
Perkins then made one of two free throws to even the score at the break.
"To hold the No. 7 team in the nation to 50 points is a pretty good job on our part," Johnson said. "We played great in the first half and had them tied. We knew they were going to come out in the second half and play hard."
The Lady Raiders, first in the league and a half-game ahead of Kansas State, end the regular season with back-to-back home games against No. 10 Texas on Sunday and No. 5 K-State next Wednesday.
"A couple of the biggest games we probably will have played in our program, particularly since we've been in the Big 12," Sharp said. "We're looking forward to those challenges."
