Texas Tech University Athletics
Lady Raiders Take On Oklahoma
February 09, 2004 | Women's Basketball
Feb. 9, 2004
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#7/9 Texas Tech Lady Raiders (20-3/6-3 Big 12)
vs.
#24 Oklahoma Sooners (14-6/4-5 Big 12)
February 10, 2004 * Lubbock, Texas * 7 p.m.
Television - UPN Lubbock
United Spirit Arena (15,050)
Tuesday's Game
No. 7/9 Texas Tech (20-3/6-3) hosts No. 24 Oklahoma (14-6/4-5) on Tuesday, Feb. 10 at 7 p.m. at the United Spirit Arena. 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 20-3 and 6-3 in the Big 12 after beating No. 17 Baylor, 62-59, last Sunday in Waco. On the year, freshman Alesha Robertson leads the team in scoring with a 12.8 average followed by junior Cisti Greenwalt at 7.7. Senior Casey Jackson is the top rebounder, grabbing 6.3 boards per outing and Greenwalt is averaging 5.3 rebounds a game. Sophomore Jametra Clark is shooting 50.8 percent from the field, while Jackson is shooting 50.5 percent. Robertson is shooting 43.9 percent from the three-point arc, while Ritchie is shooting 35.4 percent from three-point range. Sophomore Erin Grant has a team-high 154 assists, while Jackson leads the team in steals with 30. Greenwalt is the top shot blocker with 48 blocks. The Lady Raiders are shooting 45.2 percent from the field, 36.9 percent from three-point range and 71.9 percent from the free throw line.
Scouting the Opponent
Oklahoma enters the game with a 14-6 overall record and 4-5 in the Big 12 after beating Texas A&M, 56-46, last Saturday. In that game, senior Maria Villarroel scored a game-high 19 points, while junior Dionnah Jackson added 13 and senior Caton Hill chipped in 12. Hill grabbed 11 rebounds and Jackson dished out four assists. Villarroel tallied five steals.
On the year, Villarroel paces the Sooners in scoring with a 13.4 average followed by Hill at 12.2 and Jackson at 11.1. Jackson is the top rebounder as she is averaging 6.1 boards per contest. Jackson also has team highs of 102 assists, 50 steals and 12 blocks. Oklahoma is shooting 44.5 percent from the field, 32.1 percent from three-point range and 70.5 percent from the free throw line.
Sherri Coale is in her eighth year at the helm of the Sooners establishing a career record of 146-93.
Series Record
Texas Tech holds a 19-8 advantage over Oklahoma after winning both games last year. Tech was victorious, 80-71, in Norman Jan. 15, 2003 and again, 59-48, Feb. 19, 2003 in Lubbock. OU's last win was in the NCAA Sweet 16 March 23, 2002 in Boise, Idaho, in a 72-62 triumph. The Lady Raiders are 11-2 in Lubbock against the Sooners.
Last Time vs. Oklahoma
Feb. 19, 2003 - Marsha Sharp became the 22nd NCAA Division I women's coach to reach the 500-victory mark as the eighth-ranked Lady Raiders overcame a nine-point first-half deficit to defeat Oklahoma 59-48.
Plenette Pierson scored 23 points for Texas Tech.
Oklahoma held a 31-27 lead with 16:12 to play following a 3-point basket by Chelsi Welch, who led the Sooners with 23 points. The Lady Raiders took control with 14 straight points in a four-minute span to lead 41-31. Pierson and Jolee Ayers combined to score the first nine points of the run before Natalie Ritchie hit a 3-pointer that pushed the Tech lead to 39-31. Erin Grant capped the run with a 12-foot jumper.
The Sooners never got closer than seven points the rest of the game.
Oklahoma had just a 25-23 lead at halftime after Welch hit a baseline jumper for the last of her 12 first-half points.
Last Time Out
(AP) - Texas Tech won another close game against Baylor, this time without the help of a disputed call.
Chesley Dabbs scored the go-ahead basket on a putback with 32 seconds left, and LaToya Davis then hit two free throws after stealing a pass to lift the No. 9 Lady Raiders to a 62-59 win Sunday.
Dabbs took Erin Grant's missed jumper and made the winning shot in a game that featured 14 lead changes.
No. 17 Baylor (17-5, 5-4 Big 12), which only had one basket in the last four minutes, then turned the ball over when Davis stole Emily Niemann's pass.
Davis, a 49 percent free-throw shooter, iced the victory for the Lady Raiders (20-3, 6-3) when she made two foul shots with 10 seconds left. Niemann's 3-point shot bounced off the rim as the game ended.
In Tech's 64-63 win over Baylor last month in Lubbock, Alesha Robertson made three throws in the final 7.6 seconds, hitting the game-winner after a disputed call.
Robertson tied that game with two free throws before Jessika Stratton had a turnover when she was called for stepping on the baseline - although a television replay showed her heel never touched it. Robertson made the game-winning free throw with 2.2 seconds left.
On Sunday, Baylor took a 59-58 lead with just under a minute left when Stratton stole the ball from Robertson. Stratton batted it ahead to Chelsea Whitaker for a breakaway layup.
Robertson led the Lady Raiders with 25 points, including five 3-pointers.
Sophia Young paced the Lady Bears with 19 points. Steffanie Blackmon scored 17.
Davis scored 11 of her 13 points after halftime, when Baylor held a 33-31 lead.
Tech opened the second half with an 18-4 run, capped by Davis' three-point play that gave the Lady Raiders a 49-37 lead.
Baylor responded with an 18-6 run and the game was tied at 55 after Sophia Young's layup with 5 1/2 minutes left.
A Look Ahead
Texas Tech will hit the road for two-straight games at Texas A&M Feb. 14 and at Missouri Feb. 17 with both games at 7 p.m. The Lady Raiders will host Texas Feb. 22 on ESPN2 at 1 p.m. and play at Oklahoma Feb. 25 at 7 p.m. on the Red Raider Sports Network. Games on the Red Raider Sports Network will be televised 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 528-162 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. 3, Texas Tech ranks fourth in scoring margin at 23.1, fourth in rebound margin at 10.5, sixth in turnovers per game at 13.2, seventh in scoring defense at 54.0, 10th in scoring offense at 77.1, 11th in won-lost percentage at 85.7, 16th in blocked shots at 5.2, 24th in assists per game at 17.3 and 29th in field goal percentage at 45.1, among all NCAA Division I teams. Sophomore Erin Grant ranks 10th in assists per game at 6.5 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 94-28 (.770) overall and 40-17 (.702) in Big 12 regular-season play. The junior class, which consists of just one player - Cisti Greenwalt is 69-21 (.767) and 27-14 (.659) in the league. The sophomores post a 49-9 (.845) mark and 19-6 (.760) in the conference. The freshmen are 20-3 (.870) and 6-3 (.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 6-1 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) and No. 17/17 Baylor (Feb. 8). Tech's only loss was at No. 3/4 Texas.
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 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 20-3, 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.
Scoring Streak
Freshman Alesha Robertson continues her double-digit scoring streak as she had 12 points against Kansas and a game-high 25 points at Baylor last week. Robertson has scored in double figures in seven-straight games and in 10 of the last 11 games. She also had her first career double-double at Baylor with 25 points and a career-high 10 rebounds.
Closing In
Junior Cisti Greenwalt is getting closer to breaking the school record for career blocks. Greenwalt swatted nine blocks last week for a career total of 186. Crystal Boles (1994-98) holds the school record with 191.
Just Like the Energizer Bunny
Sophomore Erin Grant keeps on going and going as she scored a career-high 27 points in Tech's win over Kansas. She also had career highs of two three-pointers and five steals against the Jayhawks. In the game prior at Texas, she scored a then season-high 14 points. Grant has scored in double figures in five games this season, which all have come in five of the last eight games. At Baylor, Grant dished out 11 assists, which marked the third time this season she has had 10 or more assists in a game.
Davis Puts Up Numbers
Sophomore LaToya Davis scored double digits in back-to-back games last week for the first time this season. Davis had 12 points against Kansas and 13 at Baylor. She also got her first start of the season at Baylor.
Dabbs On the Boards
Sophomore Chesley Dabbs grabbed a career-high seven rebounds at Baylor. Her previous career high was six on two occasions.
Stick 'Em Up
Texas Tech stole a season-high 16 steals versus Kansas. The previous season high was 15 at Oklahoma State Jan. 24.
Grant to Seventh
Sophomore Erin Grant moved to seventh on Tech's career list for assists with 382 and needs nine assists to tie Katrisa O'Neal (1997-2001) for sixth with 391.
Greenwalt Stepping Up
Junior Cisti Greenwalt has turned it up a notch especially as of late. She put up a then season-high 16 points against Nebraska and poured in season-high 19 points at Oklahoma State and against Texas A&M. She recorded her third double-double of the season with 19 points and 11 rebounds against the Aggies. She chipped in 10 points at Texas.
A-Rob Paces Tech
Freshman Alesha Robertson scored a career-high 27 points at Oklahoma State. Robertson paces the Lady Raiders in scoring with a 12.8 average in all games and a 16.4 average in league games.
50 Percent or Better
Texas Tech shot 50.9 percent from the field (27-of-53) against Texas A&M, which marked the seventh time the Lady Raiders have shot 50 percent or better this season and the first time in five games.
Davis Steals from OSU
Sophomore LaToya Davis stole a career-high five steals at Oklahoma State. Her previous career high was two on three occasions.
More Rebounds
Senior Natalie Ritchie grabbed a season-high five rebounds against the Huskers.
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.
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 was 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.
Ritchie Has Career Day
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.
Grant Dishes Out, Ties Career High
Sophomore Erin Grant tied her career-high 14 assists against the Cowgirls.
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.
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 to 10
Texas Tech was the first top 25 team to claim 10 victories in 2003 after beating Washington Dec. 19.
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 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 226 weeks. That includes the Feb. 8 polls in which Tech is ranked seventh in the Associated Press top 25 poll. The USA Today/ESPN/WBCA Coaches poll had not be released at the time of print.
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.
