Texas Tech University Athletics
Lady Raiders Set For Big 12 Tournament Quarterfinals
March 07, 2005 | Women's Basketball
March 7, 2005
Complete Release in PDF Format
The Game
No. 4 seed and 13th/13th-ranked Texas Tech (21-6/12-4) will take on the winner of the No. 5 seed No. 20/19 Iowa State (22-5/12-4) vs. No. 12 seed Colorado (9-18/2-14) game in the quarterfinals of the Big 12 Tournament on Wed., March 9, at 2:30 p.m. at Municipal Auditorium.
On the Air
The game is being televised on FSN as Bill Land (play-by-play) and Brenda VanLengen (color analyst) call the game. The game can be heard on the All Sports Radio Network, in Lubbock on KFYO-AM 790 and KKCL-FM 98.1, with play-by-play by Ryan Hyatt and Crystal Boles as color analyst.
The Lady Raiders
Texas Tech is 21-6 and finished Big 12 regular-season play tied for third with a 12-4 record. On the year, four Lady Raiders are scoring in double figures led by senior Cisti Greenwalt at 13.6. Junior Chesley Dabbs and sophomore Alesha Robertson are both averaging 12.5 points, while junior LaToya Davis is at 12.2 points a game. Davis is shooting a team and Big 12-high 61.8 percent from the field. Robertson is shooting 37.3 percent from behind the arc and 85.7 percent from the free throw line. Greenwalt is the top rebounder, grabbing 9.3 boards per outing. Junior Erin Grant has team highs of 178 assists and 36 steals and leads the Big 12 in assists per game at 6.85. Greenwalt is the top shot blocker with 93 blocks and leads the conference in blocks per game at 3.44. Texas Tech is shooting 45.9 percent from the field, 35.5 percent from three-point range and 70.4 percent from the charity stripe.
Scouting the Opponent
Iowa State enters the Big 12 Tournament with a 22-5 overall record and concluded Big 12 regular-season play with a 12-4 mark, which tied for third in the league. On the year, senior Anne O'Neil paces the Cyclones in scoring with a 16.6 average followed by senior Katie Robinette at 15.0, senior Mary Fox at 11.2 and sophomore Lyndsey Medders at 10.0. Robinette is the top rebounder, averaging 7.3 boards per contest. Medders has a team-high 166 assists and O'Neil leads the team in steals with 34. Robinette is the top shot blocker with 38 blocks. ISU is shooting 46.2 percent from the field, 39.1 percent from three-point range and 74.4 percent from the free throw line. Bill Fennelly is in his 10th year at the helm of the Cyclones establishing a record of 214-95. He is also in his 17th year as a head coach with a career record of 380-148.
Colorado owns a 9-18 record and was 2-14 in conference play. On the year, freshman Jackie McFarland and sophomore Jasmina Ilic lead the Buffaloes in scoring as each is averaging 10.2 points a game, while senior Veronica Johns-Richardson is averaging 10.1 points. McFarland is the top rebounder, grabbing 6.4 rebounds per outing. Johns-Richardson has team highs of 82 assists and 54 steals. Freshman Kara Richards is the top shot blocker with 28 blocks. CU is shooting 40.1 percent from the field, 33.6 percent from the three-point line and 66.7 percent from the charity stripe. Ceal Barry is in her 22nd year as the Buffs head coach with a record of 427-241. She is also in her 26th year as a head coach with a career record of 510-283.
Series Record
It would be the 12th meeting between Texas Tech and Iowa State with the Lady Raiders having a 7-4 advantage over the Cyclones. Tech won the first meeting this year, 89-62, Feb. 8, in Lubbock. Iowa State won last year's game, 64-63, Jan. 14, in Ames. Tech has won three of the last four contests. The Lady Raiders are 1-1 against the Cyclones in the Big 12 Tournament. It would be the 16th meeting between Texas Tech and Colorado with the Lady Raiders holding a 12-3 advantage. Tech has won three-straight games against the Buffaloes, including their last contest, 87-41, Jan. 15, in Boulder. Tech is 2-0 versus CU in the Big 12 Tournament.
Last Time vs. Iowa State
Feb. 8, 2005 - (AP) - Cisti Greenwalt and Erin Grant scored 19 points apiece, and No. 13 Texas Tech took a share of the Big 12 Conference lead with an 89- 62 victory over No. 14 Iowa State. The win, tempered by an injury to Greenwalt, put the Lady Raiders in a threeway tie with Iowa State and Kansas State. Greenwalt, averaging 13.6 points, left the game with about five minutes left when she went down while playing defense under the Cyclones' basket. It appeared she injured her left leg. She leads the conference in blocked shots with 76.
Anne O'Neil scored 23 points to lead the Cyclones. Tech opened the second half with a 9-3 run to take a 48-39 lead from which Iowa State never recovered. Five of those points came from Chesley Dabbs, held scoreless in the first half. Three came when Greenwalt got her third three-point play. She had two late in the first half.
Tech's largest lead, 89-59, came on a 3-pointer by Dabbs with 53 seconds remaining. That lead came on the heels of a 33-13 spurt that began when Iowa State trailed 54-49 with 13:20 left. Tech had four players in double figures. Dabbs scored 14 points and LaToya Davis added 12. Grant's total was a season high, and she added 10 assists. Greenwalt led Tech with nine rebounds.
Katie Robinette and Lisa Kriener added 12 points each for Iowa State. Robinette also had 12 rebounds. Tech held Mary Fox scoreless. She was averaging 10.1 points. Tech led 39-36 at halftime. The Lady Raiders came back from an 11-0 run by the Cyclones that put Iowa State up 15-8. The run included 3-pointers by Megan Ronhovde, O'Neil and Kriener, all in less than a minute. Tech responded with an 11-2 surge in which five players scored.
Last Time vs. Colorado
Jan. 15, 2005 - (AP) - Alesha Robertson scored 27 points and Chesley Dabbs had a career-high 22 to help No. 13 Texas Tech rout Colorado 87-41 on Saturday night.
Cisti Greenwalt added 12 points and LaToya Davis had 10 for Texas Tech (12-3, 4-0 Big 12). The Red Raiders limited Colorado to 31 percent shooting in winning their seventh straight and posting their most lopsided win over the Buffaloes.
Jackie McFarland led Colorado (7-7, 0-3) with 11 points. The Buffaloes have lost four straight at home to Texas Tech, last winning on Jan. 11, 1997.
Last Time Out
(AP) - Chelsea Whitaker had 16 points and eight assists, many at key times for Baylor, and the seventh-ranked Lady Bears clinched their first Big 12 regular season title outright with a 79-69 win over No. 13 Texas Tech. Baylor led the entire game and shot 62 percent (30-of-54). Whitaker made the game's first shot, and the Lady Bears jumped out to a 6- 0 lead less than 90 seconds in before a raucous crowd of 10,550 people jammed into the Ferrell Center.
Steffanie Blackmon, playing her last game in Waco, had 17 points and seven rebounds for the Lady Bears. Sophia Young had her 37th straight doublefigure scoring game with 15 points and 12 rebounds, while Abiola Wabara had 10 points.
LaToya Davis led Texas Tech with 19 points and eight rebounds, while Cisti Greenwalt and Judith Smith had 14 points each. Greenwalt blocked three shots, pushing her season total to a Big 12 record 93. When Texas Tech got within 15-12 on Darrice Griffin's 3-pointer midway through the first half, Whitaker sparked a 12-0 run.
Whitaker drove for a layup and then stole a pass that led to Emily Niemann's 3-pointer. After Griffin traveled, Niemann hit another 3-pointer and Whitaker blocked a shot before making another shot.
By the time Whitaker passed to Chameka Scott for a layup less then three minutes after she started the run, the Lady Bears led 27-12.
Tech's best stretch came near the end of the first half when it scored points on eight straight possessions. The Raiders were within 36-33 when Erin Grant threw an inbound pass to Davis for a layup, ending an 8-0 run. Whitaker, who scored just 10 points in two games since a 20-point second half in a win against Iowa State, drove for a layup just before halftime for a 40- 34 lead.
The Lady Raiders got within 42-39 early in the second half, then Baylor scored three straight baskets and its lead dropped below seven points only twice - never closer than five.
A Look Ahead
Texas Tech will compete in the Big 12 Tournament at Municipal Auditorium in Kansas City, Mo., March 8-10, 12. The Lady Raiders will co-host NCAA First and Second Rounds at Reunion Arena in Dallas with Texas March 19, 21.
NCAA Stats
As of games through Feb. 28, Texas Tech ranks second in blocked shots per game at 7.7, fourth in field goal percentage defense at 33.4, eighth in scoring margin at 20.0, eighth in turnovers per game at 13.9, ninth in scoring defense at 53.0, ninth in assists per game at 17.6, 16th in scoring offense, 17th in rebound margin at 7.1, 18th in won-lost percentage at 80.8, 18th in personal fouls per game at 14.2 and 21st in field goal percentage at 45.7, among all NCAA Division I teams. Junior Erin Grant ranks fifth in assists per game at 6.9; and senior Cisti Greenwalt ranks eighth in blocked shots per game at 3.5, among all NCAA Division I players.
Another 20-Win Season
Texas Tech is 21-6, marking its 16th-straight 20-win season and Marsha Sharp's 20th in her 23 years as head coach. It is also the 23rd 20-win season overall for the Lady Raiders.
Greenwalt Sets Single-Season Block Record
Senior Cisti Greenwalt has recorded 93 blocks this season which sets a new Texas Tech and Big 12 record for blocks in a single season. She broke former Lady Raider Crystal Boles' record of 90 blocks which was registered during the 1996-97 season.
Upperclassmen Take Charge
Senior Cisti Greenwalt and junior Erin Grant, LaToya Davis and Chesley Dabbs combined to score 75 of Texas Tech's 83 points at Oklahoma. Grant led the way with a season-high 21 points followed by Davis with 20, Greenwalt with 19 and Dabbs with 15. The foursome then combined for 50 of Tech's 65 points in its win over Oklahoma State. Greenwalt and Davis both finished with 14 points, while Dabbs and Grant chipped in 11 points apiece.
Tech's Post Masters
Post players senior Cisti Greenwalt and junior LaToya Davis have scored in double figures in 20 and 19 games, respectively, this season. Greenwalt has played in all 27 games, while Davis has seen action in 26, missing one game with an injured knee. Both have scored double digits in the last five contests. Greenwalt leads the team in scoring at 13.6, while Davis is fourth at 12.2.
Grant Looking to Score
Junior Erin Grant has upped her scoring average over the last several games. In the first eight games of the year, she averaged 6.5 points a game, but in the last eight games Grant has averaged 11.3 points. On the year, she is averaging 8.0 points and 6.8 assists.
Grant Breaks School Record
Junior Erin Grant became Texas Tech's career leader for assists in the win over Texas A&M. The Arlington, Texas, native recorded 10 assists against the Aggies to give her the school record. Grant currently has 621 career assists, which ranks third all-time in the Big 12. The 10 assists against Texas A&M marked her fifth game of the season of dishing out 10 or more assists in a game.
Greenwalt Scores 1,000th Point, Gets Another Double-Double
Senior Cisti Greenwalt put up her 10th double-double of the season with 10 points and 14 rebounds against Texas A&M. It was her 20th double-double of her career. The 10 points enabled Greenwalt to record her 1,000th career point. She now has 1,052 points in her career at Tech.
Dabbs Getting the Minutes
Junior Chesley Dabbs played all forty minutes against Texas A&M, which was the third game this season she has played all 40 minutes of a game. She also played 44 of the 45 minutes in the overtime game versus Virginia Tech in December. She is averaging a team-best 32.9 minutes a game.
Another High Shooting Performance
Texas Tech shot 56.3 percent from the field at Oklahoma, marking its 10th game of 50 percent or better from the field this season. The Lady Raiders season best has been 57.1 percent at Oklahoma State.
Season Low Shooting
Texas Tech shot just 27 percent from the field at Texas, marking its lowest shooting percentage of the season. Tech was 17-of-63 for the night.
Grant Getting It Done
Junior Erin Grant registered her first double-double of the season and the third of her career as she scored a season-high 19 points and dished out 10 assists against Iowa State.
Doing Dishes
Junior LaToya Davis dished out a career-high six assists against Iowa State. Her previous high was four against Penn State earlier this season. Davis also chipped in 12 points against the Cyclones to mark her 14th game this year to score in double figures.
Best Output in Conference Play
Texas Tech's 89 points against Iowa State was the most points the Lady Raiders have scored against a conference opponent this year and their second-best output for all games this season. Tech scored a 109 points against Miami (Fla.) Dec. 6.
Tech vs. Top 25
Texas Tech is 2-5 against teams ranked in the top 25. The Lady Raiders beat No. 12/11 Texas (79-62, Jan. 12) and No. 14/ 14 Iowa State (89-62, Feb. 8), while losing to No. 7/5 Stanford (61-58, Nov. 28), No. 20/18 Kansas State (55-53, Jan. 22), No. 8/9 Baylor (52-49, Feb. 5), at No. 17/ 17 Texas (64-43, Feb. 13) and at No. 7/8 Baylor (79-69, Mar. 3).
Sellout Crowd
Texas Tech had its first sellout crowd of the season against Baylor Feb. 5. There were 15,050 fans in attendance for the game, marking Tech's eighth sellout for women's basketball since the United Spirit Arena opened in 1999. The Lady Raiders are averaging 12,569 fans a game which ranks third in the country.
Career Assists for Grant
Junior Erin Grant dished out a careerhigh 15 assists at Texas A&M. Her previous career high was 14 on two occasions.
Career High for Dabbs
Junior Chesley Dabbs scored a careerhigh 22 points in Texas Tech's win at Colorado. Her previous career-high was 21 against Ole Miss earlier this season. Griffin Gets Career Numbers vs. Buffs Freshman Darrice Griffin tied her careerhigh 10 rebounds at Colorado. It was the second time in her career to have 10 rebounds in a game, the other coming against Miami in December. She also recorded a career-high three blocks against the Buffs.
100th Big 12 Win
Texas Tech got its 100th Big 12 regularseason win Jan. 12 in a 79-62 triumph over Texas. Tech is the first school in the Big 12 to get 100 regular-season wins in league play. The Lady Raiders are 109-35 in the Big 12.
School Record 3s
Sophomore Alesha Robertson set the school record for most three-point shots made in a game with nine against Miami en route to scoring a career-high 37 points. The previous record was eight set last season by Natalie Ritchie against Oklahoma State. Robertson was 9-for-12 from three-point range.
Big 12 Career Block Leader
Senior Cisti Greenwalt is now the Big 12 Conference's all-time leader in blocked shots with 288. She passed Britt Hartshorn of Colorado (1999-02), who had 208, as the league's career leader in blocks. Greenwalt set the Texas Tech school record last season.
100-Point Game
Texas Tech scored 109 points in its victory over Miami Dec. 6. Last season, Tech scored at least 100 points on two occasions: 100 vs. Pacific Dec. 8, 2003 and 106 vs. Oklahoma State Jan. 10, 2004. The 2003-04 season was the first time Tech had scored 100-plus points more than once in the same season since 1994-95. The 109 points versus Miami marks the 11th season Tech has accomplished the feat of scoring 100 or more points in a game. During 1992-93, Tech scored 100 or more points on six occasions, which is the most of any Lady Raider season.
Winning Percentage By Class
The senior class, which consists of just one player - Cisti Greenwalt is 95-32 (.748) and 43-21 (.672) in the Big 12. The juniors post a 75-20 (.789) mark and 35-13 (.729) in the conference. The sophomore class is 46-14 (.767) and 22-10 (.688) in the league, while the freshmen are 21-6 (.778) and 12-4 (.750) in the Big 12.
On the Tube
Texas Tech will have 16 regular-season games televised this season. Those airing on FSN include: vs. Stanford (L, 61- 58), at Oklahoma State (W, 76-38), Kansas State (L, 55-53), at Texas A&M (W, 67-54) and at Baylor (L, 79-69). Tech played at Colorado (W, 87-41). The Lady Raiders faced Texas (L, 64-43) on ESPN2. On the Texas Tech Television Network, Tech played Arkansas-Little Rock (W, 69-29), Oral Roberts (W, 79- 46), Sacramento State (W, 83-37), Oklahoma (W, 70-64), Texas (W, 79-62), Missouri (W, 74-45), Iowa State (W, 89-62), Texas A&M (W, 56-53) and Oklahoma State (W, 65-52).
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 248 weeks. That includes the Feb. 28 polls in which Tech is ranked 13th in the Associated Press top 25 poll and 13th in the USA Today/ESPN/ WBCA Coaches poll.
Grant Among the Best at Her Position
Junior Erin Grant was selected as one of the top five point guards in the country by ESPN.com. Joining Grant on the list were Jamie Carey (Texas), Dionnah Jackson (Oklahoma), Temeka Johnson (LSU) and Cappie Pondexter (Rutgers).
Naismith Candidates
Junior Erin Grant and sophomore Alesha Robertson were selected preseason candidates for the Naismith Trophy. Grant, a native of Arlington, Texas, was a second team All-Big 12 selection in 2004 after averaging 8.3 points and 6.5 assists per game. She is now Tech's career leader for assists with 615, breaking the school record against Texas A&M, Feb. 19. Plainview, Texas, native Robertson is Tech's top returning scorer from last year as she averaged 12.4 points per contest. Robertson was honorable mention All-Big 12 last season.
Preseason Honors
Sophomore transfer Patrice Edwards was named the preseason Co-Big 12 Newcomer of the Year by the league coaches, while junior Erin Grant and sophomore Alesha Robertson were named preseason honorable mention All-Big 12. Robertson was named preseason second team All-America by Women's Basketball News Service, Grant was named to the third team. Grant was also selected preseason honorable mention by Street & Smith's.
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 - KIXZ-AM (940)
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)
Sidelined
Freshman Enrica Johnson will be out for the remainder of the season after undergoing ACL revision on her right knee on Feb. 4. Johnson is expected to go through approximately six months of rehabilitation.
