Texas Tech University Athletics
Lady Raiders Take On Texas A&M Saturday
January 05, 2006 | Women's Basketball
Jan. 5, 2006
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Texas Tech (5-7/0-1) vs. Texas A&M (12-2/1-0)
January 7, 2006 • United Spirit Arena (15,050) • Lubbock, Texas • 7 p.m. • TTTN
The Game
Texas Tech (5-7/0-1) hosts Texas A&M (12-2/1-0) on Sat., Jan. 7, for a 7 p.m. game at United Spirit Arena. It is the 60th meeting between the two teams.
On the Air
The game is being televised on the Texas Tech Television Network, which will air locally on UPN Lubbock, with play-by-play by Drew Dougherty and Crystal Boles as the color analyst. The game can be heard on the radio on the Texas Tech Sports Network as Ryan Hyatt calls the game.
The Lady Raiders
Texas Tech is 5-7 on the year and 0-1 in the Big 12 after dropping a heartbreaker at Kansas State, 53-51, last Wednesday. On the year, senior LaToya Davis leads the team in scoring at 20.3 points per game followed by senior Erin Grant at 13.7 and junior Alesha Robertson at 10.6. Davis is also the top rebounder, grabbing 10.9 boards per outing, while Robertson is averaging 6.2 rebounds. Davis is shooting a team-high 62.6 percent from the field and Grant is shooting 57.1 percent from behind the three-point arc. Robertson is shooting 80.5 percent from the free throw line. Grant has a team-high 78 assists and Davis leads the team in steals with 17. Sophomore Erin Myrick is the top shot blocker with 12 blocks. The Lady Raiders are shooting 43.3 percent from the field, 29.2 percent from three-point range and 64.6 percent from the charity stripe.
Scouting the Opponent
Texas A&M owns a 12-2 overall record and a 1-0 mark in the Big 12 after beating Oklahoma State, 74-52, last Wednesday. In that game, freshman Takia Starks scored a game-high 16 points, while sophomore Morenike Atunrase had 15 and sophomore Patrice Reado added 10. Reado grabbed a game-high 11 rebounds and freshman Danielle Gant collected 10 boards. Atunrase and sophomore A'Quonesia Franklin both dished out five assists and junior Lenka Zimova had two blocks.
On the year, Atunrase leads the Aggies in scoring at 12.4 points followed by Starks at 11.6 and Gant at 10.3. Senior Tamea Scales is the top rebounder, averaging 6.4 rebounds a game. Franklin leads the team in assists with 60, while Atunrase has team highs of 31 steals and 29 blocks. Texas A&M is shooting 43.1 percent from the field, 32.5 percent from three-point range and 63.4 percent from the free throw line.
Gary Blair is in his third season at the helm of the Aggies establishing a record of 37-36. He is also in his 21st season as a head coach with a career record of 445-199.
Series Record
It is the 60th meeting between Texas Tech and Texas A&M with the Lady Raiders owning a 51-8 record against the Aggies. Tech has won the last 18 games in the series, including both contests last season: 67-54, Jan. 30, in College Station and 56-53, Feb. 19, in Lubbock. The Aggies' last victory was a 72-68 triumph March 9, 1996, in the championship game of the Southwest Conference Tournament at Reunion Arena in Dallas. The Lady Raiders have won 24-straight games against the Aggies in Lubbock. Tech owns a 25-1 record against A&M in Lubbock.
Last Time vs. Texas A&M
Feb. 19, 2005 (AP) - Cisti Greenwalt scored the winning layup with 29.4 seconds remaining, and No. 15 Texas Tech held off Texas A&M 56-53 on Saturday night.
A'Quonesia Franklin missed a 3-pointer for Texas A&M at the buzzer.
Texas A&M went ahead 47-46 on a basket by Ashley Bolden with 8:11 remaining. Tech scored only once in the next 5:12 and A&M led 53-48 after two successful free throws from freshman Morenike Atunrase.
But Tech scored the game's final eight points, including Greenwalt's winner.
Greenwalt had a double-double with 10 points and 14 rebounds for the Lady Raiders.
After Atunrase's free throws, A&M failed to score on its final six possessions, including Franklin's attempted buzzer-beater.
LaToya Davis scored 13 points for the Lady Raiders before fouling out with 3:20 remaining, and Alesha Robertson had 12.
Atunrase scored 13 points to lead the Aggies, and Patrice Reado added 12.
With her ninth of 10 assists, guard Erin Grant passed Melinda Schmucker-Pharies for the most career assists in Tech history. The Aggies have dropped 24 straight to the Lady Raiders in Lubbock, with their last win coming Feb. 4, 1980.
Last Time Out
(AP) - Twiggy McIntyre hit four free throws in the final 35 seconds Wednesday night as Kansas State beat Texas Tech 53-51 in the conference opener for both. Jessica McFarland led the Wildcats with 12 points in a game in which both teams struggled from the floor. McIntyre, Claire Coggins and Kimberly Dietz each added 10 points for Kansas State.
Free throws were the difference in the game, with the Wildcats (11-1, 1-0 Big 12) hitting 15-of-17 from the line, while the Lady Raiders went 10-of-19. Both teams hit only 31 percent of their shots from the floor.
Kansas State did not score a field goal in the final 9:20 of the first half and didn't get a basket until more than 3 minutes into the second, when Coggins hit a jumper to tie the game at 24-24.
Erin Grant led Texas Tech (5-7, 0-1) with 12 points, while LaToya Davis pulled down a season-high 15 rebounds, 13 of them in the first half. LaVonda Henderson had 11 points and Alesha Robertson added 10 for the Lady Raiders.
A Look Ahead
Texas Tech hosts Baylor Jan. 15 at 7 p.m. and the game will be televised on FSN. The Lady Raiders will travel to Oklahoma Jan. 18 for a 7 p.m. contest. The game will be televised on the Sooner Sports Network and will air locally in Lubbock on UPN. Tech returns home to host Nebraska on Jan. 21 at 5 p.m. on FSN and will play at Oklahoma State Jan. 25 at 7 p.m.
NCAA Stats
As of games through Jan. 2, Texas Tech ranks sixth in turnovers per game at 13.1, among all NCAA Division I teams. Senior LaToya Davis ranks seventh in field goal percentage at 65.3, eighth in points per game at 21.4 and 17th in rebounds per game at 10.5 and senior Erin Grant ranks sixth in assists per game at 6.7, among all NCAA Division I players.
Senior CLASS Finalists
Seniors LaToya Davis and Erin Grant have been named two of the 30 finalists for the 2006 Senior CLASS Award, which is presented annually to the nation's senior player of the year. An acronym for Celebrating Loyalty and Achievement for Staying in School, the award was launched during the 2001-02 season in response to the trend of college basketball players leaving college early to turn professional. A national media committee will select 10 finalists in February.
Grant Closing in on Big 12 Record
Senior Erin Grant holds the Texas Tech career assists record with 739 assists. Grant's 739 assists are second all-time in the Big 12 Conference. Standing in first is Stacey Dales (Oklahoma 1998-02) with 764 assists. Grant has averaged 220.3 assists per year in her first three seasons.
Robertson on the Move
Junior Alesha Robertson has 925 career points and is looking to crack the 1,000-point mark this season. Robertson stands seventh all-time in three-point field goal attempts (303) and ninth in three-point field goals made (111).
Season-High Boards for Davis
Senior LaToya Davis grabbed a season-high 15 rebounds at Kansas State just one rebound shy of her career-high 16. Davis has recorded eight games of 10 or more rebounds this season.
Davis Gets Seventh Double-Double of Year
Senior LaToya Davis turned in her seventh double-double of the season with 27 points and 11 rebounds against Fresno State. Davis has 17 double-doubles in her career.
Robertson Registers First Double-Double of 05-06
Junior Alesha Robertson had her first double-double of the season with 17 points and 11 rebounds against Fresno State. The 11 rebounds tied her career high.
Davis Reaches 1,000-Point Plateau
Senior LaToya Davis reached the 1,000th-career point plateau in the game against Fresno State. Davis currently has 1,012 points in her career.
More Double-Doubles for Davis
Senior LaToya Davis registered her fifth and sixth double-doubles of the season as she had 24 points and 13 rebounds against Louisville, and 16 points and 12 rebounds versus Virginia Tech in the Caribbean Classic. In the Caribbean Classic, Davis averaged 20 points and 12.5 rebounds, both tournament highs.
Davis Named Big 12 Player of the Week
Senior LaToya Davis was named the Big 12 Player of the Week on Dec. 19 for her performance the week of Dec. 12-18. Davis poured in a career-high 33 points in Texas Tech's 99-58 win over Oral Roberts in the Lady Raiders' lone contest that week. Davis scored 25 of her points in the first half. The Houston, Texas, native shot 81.3 percent from the field, hitting 13-of-16 shots. Davis was also 7-of-10 from the free throw line for 70 percent. She added eight rebounds and a steal in the 41-point victory in 25 minutes of action.
Myrick Putting Up Points
Sophomore Erin Myrick has scored in double figures in the last three games, including a career-high 17 points against Oral Roberts. Myrick scored 16 points against Louisville and 14 points versus Virginia Tech.
Biggest Win of the Season
Texas Tech got its biggest win of the season in a 41-point victory as it beat Oral Roberts 99-58 Dec. 15.
Davis Keeps on Going
Senior LaToya Davis scored a career-high 33 points in just 25 minutes of play against ORU, including 25 first-half points. Her previous career high was 26 on two occasions.
First Double-Double of the Year for Grant
Senior Erin Grant recorded her first double-double of the season with 17 points and 11 assists against the Golden Eagles. The 11 assists tied her season high.
Career Highs for Myrick and Baughman
Sophomore Erin Myrick poured in a career-high 17 points against ORU, while junior Brooke Baughman dished out a career-high nine assists.
Starters Score in Double Digits
All five of Tech's starters scored in double figures against Oral Roberts led by Davis with 33, Grant and Myrick with 17 apiece and junior Alesha Robertson and freshman Tiny Henderson with 11 each.
Season-High Field Goal Percentage
The Lady Raiders shot a season-high 62.5 percent from the field (40-64) versus ORU. They shot 74.2 percent in the second half (23-31).
Grant Pours in Career High Points
Senior Erin Grant poured in a career-high 28 points in Tech's double overtime loss to Penn State. Her previous high was 27 against Kansas in 2004. She also hit a season-high two three-pointers against the Lady Lions.
Fourth Double-Double for Davis
Senior LaToya Davis had her fourth double-double of the season with 16 points and 13 rebounds at Penn State.
Block Buster
Junior Alesha Robertson tallied four blocks at Penn State for a new career high. Robertson's previous high was two blocks on three occasions. She also recorded season highs of 19 points and nine rebounds.
Davis Rallies in Second Half
Senior LaToya Davis scored just three points in the first half against Sacramento State as she played only eight minutes before picking up two fouls. Davis came back in the second half to spark the Lady Raiders as she scored 21 of her 24 points playing the final 20 minutes of the game. She was 10-for-12 on the night and collected nine rebounds.
Grant First to 700
Senior Erin Grant became the first player in Texas Tech history to collect 700 assists in her career. Grant got her 700th-career assist on a dish inside to senior LaToya Davis in the game against Sacramento State. Grant currently has 739 career assists.
Another Henderson in the Making
The football team may have standout running back Taurean Henderson, but the Lady Raiders have another Henderson who is making her presence known on the basketball court - Tiny Henderson. Even though the two are not related both play an important role in their respective sports. Tiny Henderson, a Lubbock native, has started all eight games this season and scored in double figures in four of the eight games this year. She has also made a defensive presence, guarding some of the best players in the country. Against Sac State, she had career highs of five assists and four rebounds and scored 10 points in 34 minutes. In the prior game against Stanford, Henderson scored a career-high 16 points as she played a career-high 38 minutes.
Davis Doing Double Duty
Senior LaToya Davis recorded her third double-double of the year as she had 15 points and 13 rebounds versus Stanford.
Another Double-Double
Senior LaToya Davis registered her second double-double of the season and the 12th of her career as she finished with 26 points and 10 rebounds against Rice.
Smith Matches High Point Total
Sophomore Judith Smith came off the bench to tie her career high of 14 points at Rice and at Ole Miss. She also matched her career high of two three-pointers in both games.
Grant Dishes Double Digits
Senior Erin Grant dished out 11 assists at Rice, marking her first double-digit assist game this season. She also had 11 assists versus Oral Roberts. She has had 19 games of 10+ assists in her career.
Myrick Grabs High
Sophomore Erin Myrick grabbed a career-high eight rebounds at Rice. Her previous career-high was seven against Texas last season. She also scored a season-high eight points at Ole Miss.
Flowers Big on the Boards
Sophomore Tawanna Flowers grabbed a career-high 11 rebounds against SEMO and tied her career-high seven points.
Davis Sets Tip-Off Classic Record
Senior LaToya Davis set a new State Farm Women's Tip-Off Classic record for field goal percentage as she was 10-for-13 for 76.9 percent against LSU. The old mark was 72.8 percent held by three players.
Getting the Start
Sophomore Erin Myrick and freshman Tiny Henderson got their first career starts against LSU. Myrick finished the game with four points, three rebounds and tied her career-high four blocks. Henderson, who played 34 minutes against the Lady Tigers, scored 11 points and added four steals and two assists. The last freshman to get her first start in the opening game was Erin Grant in 2002, which was also in the State Farm Tip-Off Classic against Louisiana Tech held in Knoxville, Tenn., that year.
Great Fan Support
Texas Tech had 14,641 fans in attendance for the State Farm Women's Tip-Off Classic, marking the 10th-largest crowd at the United Spirit Arena for a women's basketball game.
Home Sweet Home
Texas Tech has won 92 of its 102 games it has played at the United Spirit Arena for a .902 winning percentage. In the Sharp era, the Lady Raiders have won 281 of their 325 home contests (.865 percent). Tech has produced five perfect seasons at home 1999-00 (16-0), 1998-99 (14-0), 1995-96 (16-0), 1992-93 (15-0) and 1991-92 (11-0).
Sharp the Best in the Big 12
Entering the 2006 Big 12 season, Texas Tech head coach Marsha Sharp had produced the most wins of any coach in Big 12 play. Sharp had led the Lady Raiders to a Big 12-leading 109 conference wins since 1997.
Diploma in Hand
Senior Erin Grant is not only a standout on the court, but also in the classroom. Grant graduated from Texas Tech last May with degrees in marketing and general business in just three years. She is currently working on her MBA.
Winning Percentage By Class
The senior class is 83-29 (.741) mark and 35-14 (.714) in the conference. The junior class posts a record of 54-23 (.701) and 22-11 (.667). The sophomore class is 29-15 (.659) and 12-5 (.706) in the league, while the freshmen are 5-7 (.417).
Sister Act
The Lady Raiders welcome their first pair of sisters to their roster this season in sophomore Darrice Griffin and freshman Teddy Griffin. They are also the first second generation players to play for head coach Marsha Sharp. The Griffins' mother, Tami Wilson, played for Texas Tech in 1990-92.
On the Tube
Texas Tech will have 17 regular-season games televised this season. Tech will appear on ESPN2 three times: LSU (L, 68-76), at Penn State (L 2OT, 72-78) and at Texas Feb. 26; and on ESPNU once: Texas Feb. 1. The Lady Raiders will play on FSN six times: Stanford (L, 63-66), Baylor Jan. 15, Nebraska Jan. 21, at Missouri Jan. 28, at Texas A&M Feb. 5 and at Baylor Feb. 19. Tech played on FSN Midwest at Kansas State (L, 51-53). The Texas Tech Television Network will air the following games: Sac State (W, 63-53), Oral Roberts (W, 99-58), Texas A&M Jan. 7, Colorado Feb. 11 and Oklahoma March 1. Tech's game at Oklahoma Jan. 18 will be on the Sooner Sports Network and broadcast back to Lubbock.
Preseason Honors
Senior Erin Grant has been named a preseason Player of the Year Candidate for The State Farm Wade Trophy and the Wooden Award as well as preseason All-Big 12. Grant was also named preseason first team All-America by Women's Basketball News Service and high honorable mention by Street & Smith's . Senior LaToya Davis was named honorable mention by Street & Smith's. Davis, senior Chesley Dabbs and junior Alesha Robertson were selected preseason honorable mention All-Big 12.
ESPN Experts Like Grant
ESPN.com grilled its panel of experts - bracket Charlie Creme, columnist Mechelle Voepel and ESPN's Nancy Lieberman and Beth Mowins on their picks for the 2005-06 season. Texas Tech's Erin Grant was picked the best passer in the country by Creme, Lieberman and Voepel, while Voepel chose Grant as the best ball handler in the nation. Creme and Lieberman also picked the Lady Raiders to win the Big 12 Championship.
Dabbs to Redshirt
Senior Chesley Dabbs is redshirting the this season after having surgery to her left knee on Nov. 10 to repair a torn ACL and meniscus.
Follow the Lady Raiders
All Lady Raider basketball games can be heard live on the Texas Tech Sports 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)
Lady Raider Basketball with Marsha Sharp
Marsha Sharp's weekly television show, Lady Raider Basketball with Marsha Sharp, is televised every Sunday on FOX34 at 10 p.m. and UPN Lubbock at 10:30 p.m.
The Marsha Sharp Radio Show
The Marsha Sharp Radio Show will be held each Monday starting Jan. 9 from 6-7 p.m. at the southend meeting rooms at the United Spirit Arena. The show will air on KFYO-AM 790 and KKCL-FM 98.1 locally.
Lady Raiders Ink Two to National Letters of Intent
Texas Tech signed two standout student-athletes to National Letters of Intent: Raquel Christian (Midland, Texas) and Jordan Murphree (Brock, Texas). Christian is a 5-7 guard from Midland High School and Murphree is a 5-11 guard from Brock High School.
Lubbock - The Place to Live
The first-ever Coldwell Banker® College Market Home Price Comparison Index (HPCI) found that fans and alumni of Texas Tech should stand and cheer. Lubbock, Texas, ranks as the most affordable college town in the study, with an average home price of $164,133. The College Market HPCI evaluated average home values for a single-family dwelling in a middle-management community measuring approximately 2,200 square feet with four bedrooms, two and one-half baths, a family room (or equivalent) and two-car garage. The snapshot study examined 59 markets that are home to the premier college football programs in the country. Palo Alto, Calif., home of Stanford, topped the charts as the most expensive college town in the index at $1,550,000.
