Texas Tech University Athletics
Texas Tech Athletics
Southwest Missouri State
Lady Raiders Win NCAA Opener
March 23, 2003 | Women's Basketball
March 23, 2003
LUBBOCK, Texas (AP) - Whenever Texas Tech struggled, Plenette Pierson was there to pick up the Lady Raiders.
Pierson had 25 points and 13 rebounds as Tech beat Southwest Missouri State 67-59 in the first round of the Midwest Regional on Sunday night.
"I thought Plenette played like an All-American tonight and gave us a chance to win," Texas Tech coach Marsha Sharp said. "Plenette is a warrior. I think her work ethic and how much she wants to win is the strength of this team."
Second-seeded Texas Tech (27-5) led by six at halftime and as many as 17 in the second half before the 15th-seeded Lady Bears (18-13) rallied, pulling within six in the game's final minute.
Kari Koch scored 19 points and Jenni Lingor had 16 to lead Southwest Missouri State.
Pierson scored 15 of her points in the second half.
"I've never seen a player take over a game like that," said Southwest Missouri State's Jenni Lingor. "She's incredible. She by far is one of the better player we've played against this year."
Pierson's inside presence helped Tech outrebound Southwest Missouri 45-24.
"What concerned me was they were getting in there and rebounding so well," said SMS head coach Katie Abrahamson-Henderson.
Jia Perkins added 14 points for the Lady Raiders, who won their ninth consecutive subregional tournament game dating to 1999.
Southwest Missouri State had the momentum midway through the first half after scoring on seven consecutive possessions to take a 23-19 lead.
The Lady Bears baffled Tech through much of the first half with a 2-3 matchup zone that forced the Lady Raiders to shoot from the outside. Tech had little luck, misfiring on all eight of its 3-pointers in the opening 20 minutes.
"You can't just stop shooting," Perkins said. "I think you've got to keep shooting. It needs to change. I just think our shots are going to come to us."
But Tech bounced back. The Lady Raiders held SMS scoreless for the final 4:54 and scored the last 10 points of the half to take a 29-23 lead.
