Texas Tech University Athletics
Texas Tech-Louisiana Tech Preview
March 22, 2004 | Women's Basketball
March 22, 2004
GAME: No. 5 Louisiana Tech (28-2) vs. No. 4 Texas Tech (25-7).
REGIONAL: Mideast, Second Round.
TIME: Monday, 11 p.m. EST.
SITE: Dahlberg Arena; Missoula, Mont.
Louisiana Tech is one of the most storied programs in the history of the NCAA tournament. That doesn't mean coach Kurt Budke wasn't relieved just to make it to the second round this season.
"I think today we realize how fortunate we are to sitting here right now," he said. "If you look at scores from around the country, there are some great teams - some higher seeds - losing on neutral floors. We fought through a lot of adversity last night."
The Lady Techsters continue their quest for a third national championship, and first since 1998, as they take on streaking Texas Tech in the second round.
Louisiana Tech beat Montana 81-77 on Saturday, snapping the Lady Grizzlies' 22-game home winning streak. Erica Smith-Taylor scored a career-high 29 points for the Lady Techsters, who are the only team other than Tennessee to appear in the tournament every year since it began in 1982.
Louisiana Tech has reached the regional semifinals 19 times, ranking second behind Tennessee (22). It has also made 10 appearances in the Final Four.
Amber Obaze scored 14 points against Montana, and Trina Frierson had 12 points and 12 rebounds.
The Lady Techsters, who at times used a full-court press against Montana, will look to establish a fast-paced game against the Lady Raiders, winners of 20 in a row. Louisiana Tech boasts four players averaging double figures in scoring, compared to just one for Texas Tech.
"I think if we can make it a half-court game and get some shots, we have a chance," said Texas Tech coach Marsha Sharpe. "There's no way we can score enough if we let them take the ball and score before we get a defense set."
The Lady Raiders beat Maine 60-50 on Saturday, holding Maine's leading scorer, Heather Ernest, to just three points on 1-of-9 shooting.
Alesha Robertson scored 16 points, and Casey Jackson added 13 points and 12 rebounds for Texas Tech, which is making its 15th consecutive appearance in the tournament and 17th overall.
"I thought it was a great competitive basketball game," Sharp said. "Exactly what you'd expect in the NCAA tournament."
Texas Tech, which is trying for its 11th trip to the round of 16, is 3-0 at Dahlberg Arena, including two wins en route to its only national championship in 1993. The Lady Raiders are playing on the road in the first and second rounds for the first time since 1996-97 season.
The winner will face Duke or Marquette next weekend in the regional semifinals in Norfolk, Va.
Louisiana Tech leads the all-time series 10-2, including two wins in the NCAA tournament.
PROBABLE STARTERS: Louisiana Tech - F Amisha Carter (17.7 ppg, 10.4 rpg), F Frierson (16.2 ppg, 6.6 rpg), C Lakiste Barkus (9.0 ppg, 2.6 apg), Smith-Taylor (12.9 ppg, 3.6 apg), G Obaze (11.8 ppg, 3.2 apg). Texas Tech - F Chesley Dabbs (6.4 ppg, 3.1 rpg), F LaToya Davis (7.4 ppg, 5.6 rpg), C Jolee Ayers-Curry (5.1 ppg, 4.2 rpg), G Erin Grant (8.1 ppg, 6.7 apg), G Natalie Ritchie (6.6 ppg, 1.6 rpg).
HOW THEY GOT HERE: Louisiana Tech - Automatic bid, Western Athletic Conference champion; beat Montana 81-77, first round. Texas Tech - At-large berth; beat Maine 60-50, first round.
ALL-TIME TOURNAMENT RECORD: Louisiana Tech - 64-20, 23 year. Texas Tech - 28-15, 17 years.
