Texas Tech University Athletics
Lady Raiders Host Nebraska Wednesday
January 20, 2004 | Women's Basketball
Jan. 20, 2004
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#3/3 Texas Tech Lady Raiders (16-1/2-1 Big 12)
vs.
Nebraska Cornhuskers (13-2/3-1 Big 12)
January 21, 2004 * Lubbock, Texas * 7 p.m.
Television - Red Raider Sports Network
United Spirit Arena (15,050)
Wednesday's Game
No. 3/3 Texas Tech (16-1/2-1) hosts Nebraska (13-2/3-1) on Wednesday, Jan. 21 at 7 p.m. at the United Spirit Arena. The game will be televised on the Red Raider Sports Network with play-by-play by Vinnie Vinzetta and Crystal Boles as the color analyst. The game can be heard on the All Sports Radio Network as Ryan Hyatt calls the game.
The Lady Raiders
Texas Tech is 16-1 and 2-1 in the Big 12 after beating Baylor, 64-63, last Saturday. On the year, freshman Alesha Robertson leads the team in scoring with a 10.6 average followed by sophomore Jametra Clark at 8.9. Senior Casey Jackson is the top rebounder, grabbing 6.9 boards per outing. Clark is shooting 52.6 percent from the field, while Jackson is shooting 51.7 percent. Robertson is shooting 41.7 percent from the three-point arc. Sophomore Erin Grant has a team-high 109 assists, while Jackson leads the team in steals with 23. Junior Cisti Greenwalt is the top shot blocker with 32 blocks. The Lady Raiders are shooting 45 percent from the field, 37.7 percent from three-point range and 72.7 percent from the free throw line. Scouting the Opponent
Nebraska enters the game with a 13-2 overall record and 3-1 in the Big 12 after beating Texas A&M, 65-48, last Saturday. In that game, senior Margaret Richards scored a game-high 13 points, while freshman Chelsea Aubry added 10. Aubry and senior Keasha Cannon-Johnson each had seven rebounds. Junior Jina Johansen dished out seven assists.
On the year, Richards paces the Huskers in scoring with an 11.0 average followed by Cannon-Johnson at 10.7 and senior Alexa Johnson at 10.6. Cannon-Johnson is the top rebounder as she is averaging 8.8 boards per contest. Johnson has a team-high 69 assists, while Cannon-Johnson and freshman Kiera Hardy both lead the team in steals with 25 each. Senior Katie Morse is the top shot blocker with 31 blocks. Nebraska is shooting 40.8 percent from the field, 32.1 percent from the three-point arc and 74.5 percent from the charity stripe.
Conni Yori is in her second year at the helm of the Huskers establishing a record of 21-22. She is also in her 14th year as a head coach with a career record of 216-162.
Series Record
It is the 11th meeting between Texas Tech and Nebraska with the Lady Raiders holding an 8-2 advantage. Last year, Tech defeated the Huskers, 50-35, on Feb. 26 in Lincoln. Tech has won seven-straight games against Nebraska. The last time the Huskers were victorious was in a 62-57 triumph in Lincoln Feb. 9, 1997, the first season of the Big 12 Conference. The Lady Raiders are 4-0 in Lubbock versus Nebraska.
Last Time vs. Nebraska
Feb. 26, 2003 - Texas Tech was led by Jia Perkins' 19 points to defeat Nebraska, 50-35, in Lincoln. Cisti Greenwalt added eight points and 10 rebounds, while Plenette Pierson finished with 15 boards. Alexa Johnson and Margaret Richards led the Huskers with 14 points and eight rebounds apiece. Tech shot 33.3 percent from the field to Nebraska's 24.5 percent.
Last Time Out
(AP) - Alesha Robertson made three free throws in the final 7.6 seconds and finished with 18 points to lead No. 2 Texas Tech past No. 24 Baylor 64-63 on Saturday night.
Trailing by four points with 1:53 remaining, Tech (16-1, 2-1 Big 12) got two free throws from Erin Grant and a spinning layup by LaToya Davis to tie the score at 61 with 43.9 seconds left.
Baylor (14-3, 2-2) took the lead again when Dionne Brown hit a 15-footer with 27.5 seconds left.
After Robertson made two free throws to tie it at 63-all, Baylor's Jessika Stratton turned the ball over when she was called for stepping backward onto the baseline. A television replay of the call showed that Stratton's heel did not step onto the line.
Robertson then missed a layup attempt but was fouled with 2.2 seconds left and hit her third free throw.
Tech played without leading scorer Jia Perkins (16.5 points per game), who left the team for undisclosed medical reasons. The announcement was made about four hours before the game.
Tech had four players in double figures despite shooting just 26 percent (17-for-65). Davis scored 12 points, Grant added 11 and Chesley Dabbs got 10.
Young scored 24 points and Ebony Jackson added 13 for the Lady Bears.
Tech led 28-24 at halftime. The Lady Raiders used a 17-8 run to take a 28-20 lead with 1:22 remaining in the half. Robertson and Davis accounted for 11 points in Tech's run.
A Look Ahead
Texas Tech will travel to Oklahoma State Jan. 24 for a 2 p.m. contest before returning home to take on Texas A&M Jan. 28 at 7 p.m. The game against the Aggies will be televised on the Red Raider Sports Network. The Lady Raiders will play at Texas Feb. 1 at 3 p.m. on Fox Sports Net.
Lady Raider Head Coach Marsha Sharp
One of the most respected and well-known coaches in Texas Tech history, Hall of Fame head coach Marsha Sharp is 524-160 in her 22nd year at the helm of the Lady Raiders. She has led the Lady Raiders to 16 NCAA Tournament appearances, including 14 consecutive, and 10 NCAA Sweet 16 and four 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. In May 2003, she was inducted into the Women's Basketball Hall of Fame.
First to No. 1
Texas Tech became the first Big 12 school to be ranked No. 1 in the country since the inception of the league in 1996-97. The Lady Raiders topped the USA Today/ESPN/WBCA Coaches' Poll on Jan. 6. It marks the first time the Lady Raiders have been ranked No. 1 during the regular season and only their second ever as they were first in the final coaches poll after winning the National Championship in 1993. Tech is ranked No. 2 in this week's Associated Press top 25 poll.
NCAA Stats
As of games through Jan. 19, Texas Tech ranks first in scoring defense at 50.1, first in field goal percentage defense at 32.1, first in won-lost percentage at 94.1, second in scoring margin at 27.9, second in rebound margin at 12.5, sixth in turnovers per game at 13.2, 10th in scoring offense at 78.0, 11th in blocked shots at 5.6 and 20th in assists at 17.9, among all NCAA Division I teams. Sophomore Erin Grant ranks 15th in assists per game at 6.4 among all NCAA Division I players.
Best Start in School History
Texas Tech started the season 15-0, before losing at Iowa State, which was the best start in school history. The previous best start was when the Lady Raiders went 10-0 in 1999-2000 before falling at Iowa State, 62-37, Jan. 2, 2000.
Winning Percentage By Class
The senior class has a record of 90-26 (.776) overall and 36-15 (.706) in Big 12 regular-season play. The junior class, which consists of just one player - Cisti Greenwalt is 65-19 (.774) and 23-12 (.657) in the league. The sophomores post a 45-7 (.904) mark and 15-4 (.789) in the conference. The freshmen are 16-1 (.941) and 2-1 (.667) in Big 12 play this season.
Looking for Another Banner
Since the 1997-98 season, the Lady Raiders have hung at least one Big 12 Conference championship banner and/or an NCAA Sweet 16 or Elite Eight from the rafters each year. During that time, Tech has seen two NCAA Elite Eight banners, three NCAA Sweet 16 banners, three Big 12 regular-season champion banners, two Big 12 Tournament champion banners and a 2003 Marsha Sharp Women's Basketball Hall of Fame banner.
Lady Raiders Win Third Title
Texas Tech won its third tournament title of the season when it captured the Surf 'N Slam San Diego Hoop Classic on Dec. 30. The Lady Raiders also won the Preseason WNIT and the SMU Hoops for the Cure Tournament.
Tech vs. the Top 25
Texas Tech is 5-0 this year against teams ranked in the top 25. The Lady Raiders beat No. 18/18 UC Santa Barbara, No. 15/15 Rutgers, No. 24 Washington, No. 7/7 Stanford and No. 24 Baylor.
Largest Margin of Victory in Almost 18 Years
Texas Tech defeated Oklahoma State 106-43, a margin of 63 points, which was the largest margin of victory of the season and it's biggest since beating Hawaii Pacific, 114-48, Dec. 7, 1985.
One Point Losses
Texas Tech's 64-63 loss at Iowa State was just the third time Tech has lost by just one point in the Marsha Sharp era. The last time the Lady Raiders lost by one point was in a 66-65 defeat to Texas Jan. 22, 1994. The only other one-point loss was a 66-65 loss to New Orleans in the National Women's Invitational March 24, 1982, Sharp's first year as head coach.
Back-to-Back Double Digits
Sophomore Erin Grant scored in double digits in back-to-back games for the first time this season. Grant scored a season-high 12 points at Iowa State and then had 11 points against Baylor. She also added six rebounds and four assists in each game.
Robertson Paces Tech
Freshman Alesha Robertson tied her career highs of 18 points and two blocks against Baylor. Robertson had first scored 18 points against Stanford earlier this season.
Spark Plug
Sophomore LaToya Davis was a spark against Baylor as she came off the bench to score 12 points and grab nine rebounds in just 18 minutes of play.
First Start
Sophomore Chesley Dabbs got her first career start against Baylor. Dabbs scored 10 points, her third time to score in double digits this year, and grabbed three rebounds in a season-high 28 minutes.
Young Guns
In the win over Baylor, the Lady Raiders were led by three sophomores (Dabbs, Davis, Grant) and one freshman (Robertson), who all scored in double figures and combined for 51 of Tech's 64 points on the night.
Low Percent from Field
Texas Tech shot a season-low 26.2 percent from the field in the victory over Baylor. Tech ws 17-of-65 on the night.
Hitting from Charity Stripe
The Lady Raiders hit a season-high 30 free throws and attempted a season-high 39 free throws against Baylor. Tech shot 76.9 percent from the line.
Closing in on Second
Junior Cisti Greenwalt is closing in on second on Tech's career list for blocks. She currently has 170 career blocks just four shy of Carolyn Thompson's (1980-84) 174. The school record is 191 by Crystal Boles (1994-98).
Ritchie Scores Career High, Sets Three-Point Record
Senior Natalie Ritchie scored a career-high 27 points against OSU. She hit a school record eight three-pointers. On the night she was 9-for-11 from the field, 8-for-10 from three-point range and 1-for-1 from the free throw line.
Team Sets Three-Point Mark
The Lady Raiders sank 14 three-pointers against OSU, which was a school record. Their previous record was 12 at Iowa State Jan. 19, 2002. Tech was 14-of-18 from three-point range for 77.8 percent.
Tech Bench Outscores OSU
Texas Tech's bench combined for 45 points to outscore OSU, who had 43 points for the game.
Grant Dishes Out, Ties Career High, Cracks Top 10
Sophomore Erin Grant tied her career-high 14 assists against the Cowgirls. Grant had 14 assists against Washington last season. Grant ranks 10th on Tech's all-time list for assists with 337.
Season High FG Percentage
The Lady Raiders shot a season-high 61.7 percent from the field against OSU. Tech was 37-of-60 from the field.
Packed House
Against Oklahoma State, Texas Tech had its fourth sellout crowd (15,050) since the United Spirit Arena opened in Nov. 1999. It was the first sell out of the season. Tech sold out last year against Texas on March 2.
100 Points, Again
Texas Tech scored 106 points in its victory over Oklahoma State Jan. 10. It marked the second time this season Tech had scored at least 100 points. The Lady Raiders scored 100 against Pacific Dec. 8. The 2003-04 season is the first time Tech has scored 100-plus points more than once in the same season since the 1994-95 season. It is also the 10th season Tech has accomplishment that feat. During the 1992-93 season, Tech scored 100 or more points on six occasions, which is the most of any Lady Raider season.
Non-Conference Point Margin
The Lady Raiders wrapped up non-conference play averaging 29.4 more points than their opponents.
Second Double-Double for Greenwalt
Junior Cisti Greenwalt recorded her second double-double against San Diego with 12 points and 10 rebounds. Greenwalt also added four blocks on the night.
Career High for Clark
Sophomore Jametra Clark scored a career-high 18 points in 30 minutes of play against Maryland. Clark also dished out a career-high three assists while matching her season high of six rebounds.
Robertson Big 12 Rookie of the Week
Freshman Alesha Robertson was named the Big 12 Rookie of the Week Dec. 22. Robertson averaged 13.5 points and 4.5 rebounds the week of Dec. 15-21 in helping Texas Tech to wins over two top 25 teams, at No. 24 Washington and at home vs. No. 7 Stanford.
First Start and Career Day for Robertson
Freshman Alesha Robertson made her first collegiate start against Stanford and recorded a career-high 18 points, a then career-high six rebounds and a career-high three steals in 28 minutes of play.
Please Take a Seat
Texas Tech had 14,674 fans in attendance at the Stanford game which was then the fifth largest home crowd in school history. It moved to sixth after Tech had a sellout against Oklahoma State Jan. 10.
First to 10
Texas Tech was the first top 25 team to claim 10 victories in 2003 after beating Washington Dec. 19.
Greenwalt, Ritchie Move Up the Charts
Junior Cisti Greenwalt is now third in career blocks with 170. Standing in second is Carolyn Thompson (1980-84) with 174 career blocks. Senior Natalie Ritchie moved to fourth on Tech's all-time list for three-point field goals made with 182. Former standout and current Tech assistant Krista (Kirkland) Gerlich (1989-93) is in third with 220.
Tech Ties Fewest Points Allowed
Texas Tech held Wyoming to 26 points Dec. 6, which tied the school record for fewest points scored by an opponent. McMurry had scored 26 points on Feb. 24, 1978.
Tech Holds SMU to Record-Low Shooting Percentage
Texas Tech held SMU to just 16.9 percent from the field, which set a school record for lowest shooting percentage by an opponent. The Mustangs hit just 11 of 65 shot attempts in the game. The previous school record was 17.6 percent (12-of-68) by Southwest Texas State on Jan. 1, 1993.
Johnson, Flowers to Redshirt
Freshman Enrica Johnson had meniscus repair done to her right knee on Dec. 17 and will redshirt this season. She joins freshman Tawanna Flowers who is redshirting after suffering a navicular fracture in her right foot during her senior season and is currently rehabbing the injury.
On the Tube
The Lady Raiders will make six national or regional television appearances in regular-season play this season. Texas Tech will appear on ESPN2 once and Fox Sports Net four times. On Fox Sports Net, Tech played Stanford (Dec. 21) and Baylor (Jan. 17) and will play at Texas (Feb. 1) and at Baylor (Feb. 8). Tech played at Washington (Dec. 19) on Fox Sports Northwest/Southwest. On Feb. 22, the Lady Raiders will play Texas on ESPN2. Tech will also have 11 games broadcasted on the local Red Raider Sports Network.
Grant Among the Best at Her Position
Sophomore Erin Grant was named one of the top five point guards in the country by ESPN.com. Along with Grant, Jamie Carey (Texas), Temeka Johnson (LSU), Cappie Pondexter (Rutgers) and Erika Valek (Purdue) made up the top five selections.
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 223 weeks. That includes the Jan. 19 polls in which Tech is ranked third in the USA Today/ESPN/WBCA Coaches' Poll and third in the AP poll.
Follow the Lady Raiders
All Lady Raider basketball games can be heard live on the All Sports Radio Network on KFYO-AM 790 and KKCL-FM 98.1 locally. Listen to play-by-play by Ryan Hyatt as he takes the court with the Lady Raiders. The following radio stations will air the Lady Raider basketball games this season:
Amarillo - KPUR-AM (1440)
Haskell - KVRP-FM (97.1)
Hereford - KPAN-AM/FM (860/106.3)
Lamesa - KPET-AM (690)
Lubbock - KFYO-AM/KKCL-FM (790/98.1)
Midland - KMMD/KRIL-AM (1510/1410)
Plainview - KVOP-AM (1090)
Lady Basketball with Marsha Sharp
Lady Raider Basketball with Marsha Sharp is televised every Sunday. The show airs on Fox 34 at 9:30 p.m. The show also airs on UPN Lubbock at 10:30 p.m.
The Marsha Sharp Radio Show
The Marsha Sharp Radio Show is held each Monday from 6-7 p.m. at the United Spirit Arena in the City Bank conference rooms located on the south end concourse. The show will air on KFYO-AM 790 and KKCL-FM 98.1 locally. The show on Jan. 26 will be at Jones SBC Stadium Club. The show will return to the United Spirit Arena on Feb. 2.
