Texas Tech University Athletics
Women's Hoops Squares Off With Oklahoma
February 24, 2004 | Women's Basketball
Feb. 24, 2004
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#8/9 Texas Tech Lady Raiders (23-4/9-4 Big 12)
vs.
#23/23 Oklahoma Sooners (17-7/7-6 Big 12)
February 25, 2004 * Norman, Okla. * 7 p.m.
Television - Red Raider Sports Network - UPN Lubbock
Lloyd Noble Center (12,000)
Wednesday's Game
No. 8/9 Texas Tech (23-4/9-4) travels to No. 23/23 Oklahoma (17-7/7-6) on Wednesday, Feb. 25 for a 7 p.m. contest at the Lloyd Noble Center. The game will be televised on the Red Raider Sports Network, locally on UPN Lubbock, 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 23-4 and 9-4 in the Big 12 after beating No. 1/2 Texas, 62-49, last Sunday. On the year, freshman Alesha Robertson leads the team in scoring with a 12.3 average followed by sophomore Erin Grant at 7.9. Senior Casey Jackson is the top rebounder, grabbing 6.3 boards per outing and sophomore LaToya Davis is averaging 5.4 rebounds a game. Davis is shooting 61.9 percent from the field, while sophomore Jametra Clark is shooting 50.8 percent. Robertson is shooting 42.1 percent from the three-point arc, while senior Natalie Ritchie is shooting 35.6 percent from three-point range. Sophomore Erin Grant has team highs of 185 assists and 38 steals. Clark is the top shot blocker with 18 blocks as junior Cisti Greenwalt led the team with 57 blocks before suffering a season-ending injury. The Lady Raiders are shooting 45.2 percent from the field, 37.1 percent from three-point range and 71.8 percent from the free throw line.
Scouting the Opponent
Oklahoma enters the game with a 17-7 overall record and 7-6 in the Big 12 after falling at Baylor, 77-62, last Saturday. In that game, freshman Erin Higgins led OU with 13 points while senior Maria Villarroel added 12 and senior Caton Hill and freshman Leah Rushed each chipped in 11 points. Rush grabbed six rebounds and junior Dionnah Jackson finished with team highs of four assists, three steals and a block.
On the year, Villarroel paces the Sooners in scoring with a 14.6 average followed by Hill at 12.3 and Jackson at 11.3. Jackson is the top rebounder as she is averaging 6.0 boards per contest. Jackson has team highs of 129 assists, 62 steals and 16 blocks. OU is shooting 44.1 percent from the field, 32.7 percent from three-point range and 72 percent from the charity stripe.
Sherri Coale is in her eighth year at the helm of the Sooners establishing a record of 149-94.
Series Record
It is the 29th meeting between the Lady Raiders and the Sooners with Texas Tech holding a 19-9 advantage over Oklahoma. OU won the first game this year, 68-62, Feb. 10 in Lubbock. Last season Tech was victorious, 80-71, in Norman Jan. 15, 2003 and again, 59-48, Feb. 19, 2003 in Lubbock. The Lady Raiders are 8-5 against the Sooners in Norman.
Last Time vs. Oklahoma
Feb. 10, 2004 - Maria Villarroel scored 20 points to lead Oklahoma to a 68-62 victory over seventh-ranked Texas Tech, snapping the Lady Raiders' 17-game home winning streak.
Oklahoma seized control in the second half by scoring 12 straight points - holding Tech scoreless for more than 6:30 - to take a 50-38 lead with 6:08 remaining. Dionnah Jackson added 19 points for Oklahoma.
The loss was the first for Tech on its home floor since a 70-67 setback to Texas on March 2. Erin Grant led the Lady Raiders with 20 points.
Caton Hill scored five points during the run for the Sooners, and Jackson added four. Britney Brown capped the surge by connecting on a 3-pointer that provided the Sooners with a lead of 12.
Tech tried to rally, pulling to 54-47 with 2:08 left on a 10-footer by Chesley Dabbs.
But Oklahoma hit six straight free throws - two each by Villarroel, Jackson and Hill - to push the lead to 60-51 with 1:37 remaining.
The Lady Raiders closed to 61-57 on two free throws by Grant with 1:09 left. But Oklahoma responded by making seven of its final eight free throws to secure the victory.
Hill added 16 for Oklahoma. Alesha Robertson contributed 11 for Tech.
The Lady Raiders led by as many as 11 points in the first half, taking a 26-15 lead with 3:03 to go on two free throws by Jametra Clark.
Oklahoma outscored Tech 7-1 the rest of the first half and trailed 27-22 at the break.
Last Time Out
(AP) - No. 9 Texas Tech earned its first regular-season victory against a top-ranked team Sunday, beating the No. 1 Longhorns 62-49.
The Longhorns, who took over the top spot in The Associated Press rankings Feb. 9 for the first time since Dec. 28, 1987, are sure to drop in the new poll.
Tech, which lost 82-73 to Texas on Feb. 1, relied on a familiar game plan on Sunday: stopping the Longhorns' inside game.
Davis matched her career high with 15 points and Jolee Ayers-Curry added a season-high 14 for Texas Tech (23-4, 9-4 Big 12).
Heather Schreiber and Nina Norman each scored 14 points for Texas (23-3, 11-2), which had its nine-game winning streak snapped.
The Lady Raiders last beat a top-ranked team in 1993, when they defeated Vanderbilt 60-46 in the semifinals of the NCAA tournament. Tech went on to win its only national championship that year.
Tech had runs of 12-2 and 9-1 and took a 47-38 lead on a layup and free throw by Davis with 9:25 remaining. Tech trailed by five at the half and regained the lead by scoring 10 straight points in the second half. Conradt said Texas Tech's second half surge was the difference.
The Lady Raiders held Texas to just two field goals in the first 11 minutes of the second half, and the Longhorns got no closer than six points the rest of the way.
Texas' point total was its lowest of the season. The Longhorns' previous low was 51 in a victory over Colorado last week.
Tech's defense disrupted the Longhorns inside, challenging most passes and double- and triple-teaming Stacy Stephens and Tiffany Jackson whenever they got the ball.
The Lady Raiders snapped a five-game losing steak against Texas, and Tech avoided its second straight home loss.
Texas Tech played its first game without Cisti Greenwalt, who is out for the season with a fractured right ankle. The Lady Raiders lost Jia Perkins in January for undisclosed medical reasons.
There were six ties in a first half that included extended scoring droughts by both teams. Tech went nearly six minutes without scoring.
Late in the first half the Longhorns scored seven unanswered points in a two-minute span to take a 31-24 lead. Tech's Erin Grant hit a shot at the buzzer to cut the margin to five.
A Look Ahead
Texas Tech will return to Lubbock for its final home game of the season Feb. 28 against Colorado at 7 p.m. Tech will conclude the regular season at Kansas State March 3 at 7 p.m. Both games will be televised on the Red Raider Sports Network, which airs locally on UPN Lubbock.
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 531-163 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.
NCAA Stats
As of games through Feb. 23, Texas Tech ranks third in rebound margin at 9.4, eighth in scoring margin 19.4, ninth in scoring defense at 54.8, 10th in turnovers per game at 14.0, 11th in won-lost percentage at 85.2, 12th in field goal percentage defense at 35.6, 13th in blocked shots per game at 5.4, 21st in scoring offense at 74.2, 22nd in assists per game at 17.0, 26th in field goal percentage at 45.2, and 29th in personal fouls at 15.1, among all NCAA Division I teams. Sophomore Erin Grant ranks eighth in assists per game at 6.9, among all NCAA Division I players.
Greenwalt Fractures Ankle, Out for Season
Junior Cisti Greenwalt fractured her right ankle in the game at Missouri Feb. 17. The ankle was surgically repaired and she will be out the remainder of the season.
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.
Grant Nominee for Lieberman Award
Sophomore Erin Grant has been named one of the 12 nominees for the Nancy Lieberman Award, which is presented annually to the nation's top point guard. A list of the nation's top 10 point guards will be determined in the coming weeks.
Winning Percentage By Class
The senior class has a record of 97-29 (.770) overall and 43-18 (.705) in Big 12 regular-season play. The junior class, which consists of just one player - Cisti Greenwalt is 72-22 (.766) and 30-15 (.667) in the league. The sophomores post a 52-10 (.839) mark and 22-7 (.759) in the conference. The freshmen are 23-4 (.852) and 9-4 (.692) 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 7-2 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, No. 24 Baylor (Jan. 17), No. 17/17 Baylor (Feb. 8) and No. 1/2 Texas (Feb. 22). Tech's two losses were at No. 3/4 Texas (Feb. 1) and vs. No. 24 Oklahoma (Feb. 10).
Largest Margin of Victory in Almost 18 Years
Texas Tech defeated Oklahoma State (1/10), 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 and 88-87 (2OT) loss at Oklahoma State were just the third and fourth times 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.
Another 20-Win Season
Texas Tech is 23-4, marking its 15th-straight 20-win season and Marsha Sharp's 19th in her 22 years as head coach. It is also the 22nd 20-win season overall for the Lady Raiders.
Knockin' Off No. 1
Texas Tech defeated No. 1 Texas marking the first time Tech has defeated a No. 1 team since beating Vanderbilt, 60-46, in the semifinals of the NCAA Championship Tournament April 3, 1993 as the Lady Raiders went on to win the National Championship. It is the only time Tech has beaten a No. 1 team in the regular season.
Please Take A Seat
Texas Tech had a sellout crowd of 15,050 in attendance for the Lady Raiders' game against Texas. It marked the second sellout of the season (Oklahoma State 1/10/04) and the fifth since the United Spirit Arena opened in Nov. 1999.
Davis Ties Career High
Sophomore LaToya Davis tied her career-high 15 points against Texas (2/22). Davis also had 15 points last year against Baylor.
Season High for Ayers-Curry
Senior Jolee Ayers-Curry scored a season-high 14 points against the Longhorns (2/22). Her previous season high was 11 in the first game of the year against Texas-San Antonio. She also tied her season high of two blocks.
Grant Matches Season High Rebounds
Sophomore Erin Grant tied her season-high seven rebounds twice this week: at Missouri and against Texas (2/22). She has had seven rebounds eight times this season.
Grant to Fifth
Sophomore Erin Grant moved to fifth on Tech's career list for assists with 413. Standing in fourth is Julie Lake (1995-99) with 441.
Super Sophomores
The sophomore trio of Chesley Dabbs, LaToya Davis and Erin Grant combined for 34 of Tech's 73 points at Missouri and 35 of Tech's 62 points against Texas (2/22).
Greenwalt Breaks Block Record
Junior Cisti Greenwalt became Texas Tech's career record holder in blocks with 195. She passed Crystal Boles (1994-98) who finished her career with 191.
Davis Makes Impact
Sophomore LaToya Davis has scored in double figures in four of the last five games for the Lady Raiders. Davis has averaged 11.4 points in the last five contests compared to 5.4 points she averaged in the five games prior to that. She has also averaged 7.4 rebounds in the last five games.
Dabbs Matches Career High in Points
Sophomore Chesley Dabbs tied her career-high 18 points and had a career-high three blocks at Texas A&M. Dabbs also scored 18 points earlier this season against Pacific and has scored in double figures in six games this year.
Two Double-Double Against Aggies
Junior Cisti Greenwalt and sophomore LaToya Davis both recorded double-doubles at Texas A&M. Greenwalt had her fourth double-double of the season with 12 points and a season-high 12 rebounds. Davis finished with 13 points and a season-high 11 boards for her second double-double of the year.
50 Percent or Better
Texas Tech shot 52.2 percent from the field at Texas A&M and 50 percent at Missouri, marking the eighth and ninth times this season the Lady Raiders have shot 50 percent or better this year.
Dabbs On the Boards
Sophomore Chesley Dabbs grabbed a career-high seven rebounds at Baylor. Her previous career high was six on two occasions.
Young Guns
In the win over Baylor (1/17), 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 (1/17). Tech was 17-of-65.
Ritchie Has Career Day
Senior Natalie Ritchie scored a career-high 27 points against OSU (1/10). 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.
Grant Dishes Out, Ties Career High
Sophomore Erin Grant tied her career-high 14 assists against the Cowgirls (1/10).
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.
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), Baylor (Jan. 17), 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 defeated No. 1/2 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 228 weeks. That includes the Feb. 23 poll in which Tech is ranked eighth in the Associated Press top 25 poll and ninth in the USA Today/ESPN/WBCA Coaches 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.
