Texas Tech University Athletics
Lady Raiders Take on UTSA on Wednesday
November 30, 2010 | Women's Basketball
Nov. 30, 2010
Upcoming Promotions
UTSA • Dec. 1
•"Bring a Friend, Get `em In" - Season Ticket Holder Appreciation - An added benefit for season ticket holders is the opportunity to bring your friends to a game for free! Call 742-TECH to order in advance. Two complimentary tickets will be allocated nearest to your season ticket seats and placed in will-call for your friend. Ticket sales representatives will escort them to their seats and follow up with them on their gameday experience. Should your friend decide to purchase season tickets, Texas Tech Athletics will provide you two complimentary tickets to a conference game of your choice. Help refill the United Spirit Arena. Bring a Friend, Get `Em In!
•Guns Up Club Members - Free admission.
Texas Tech (7-0) vs. UTSA (3-3)
Wednesday, December 1 • 7 p.m. • Lubbock, Texas • United Spirit Arena
The Game
Texas Tech (7-0) wraps up its seven-game home stand by hosting UTSA (3-3) on Wed., Dec. 1, at 7 p.m. at the United Spirit Arena. It is the 11th meeting between the two schools.
On the Air
The game can be heard on the radio on the Texas Tech Sports Network as Steve Strain and Crystal Boles call the game. The game can also be heard on the internet at www.texastech.com through RaiderVision All Access. Live streaming is also available through RaiderVision All Access and live stats are available through GameTracker at www.texastech.com.
The Lady Raiders
Texas Tech is 7-0 after capturing the World Vision Classic title by beating Charleston Southern, 82-57, American, 63-37, and Sam Houston State, 65-52, last weekend. On the year, junior Kierra Mallard paces the team in scoring with a 15.1 average followed by sophomore Casey Morris at 12.1 and senior Teena Wickett at 11.3. Wickett is the top rebounder, grabbing 7.3 boards per outing. Wickett is shooting 54.2 percent from the field. Morris is shooting a team-best 51.4 percent from behind the arc, as well as a team-high 81.8 percent from the free throw line as well. Wickett leads the team in assists with 30, while sophomore Monique Smalls has a team-high 23 steals. Mallard is the top shot blocker with 14 blocks. Tech is shooting 43.2 percent from the field, 33.3 percent from three-point range and 66.7 percent from the charity stripe.
The Opponent
UTSA is 3-3 on the season after beating Tulsa, 87-67, last Friday and then losing to Davidson, 69-60, on Saturday. On the year, senior Amber Gregg leads the Roadrunners in scoring with a 13.5 average followed by junior Ashley Gardner at 12.3 and senior Alysse Davis at 10.3. Davis is the top rebounder, averaging 8.3 boards per contest. Sophomore Jermini Malone has a team-best 29 assists, while Davis has team highs of 19 blocks and seven steals. UTSA is shooting 38.1 percent from the field, 28 percent from behind the three-point arc and 68.9 percent from the free throw line.
The Series
Texas Tech and UTSA are meeting for the 11th time in the series with the Lady Raiders winning all the previous 10 contests. This is the fourth-straight time the two teams have played in Lubbock. Their last meeting came on Nov. 10, 2006, when Tech defeated UTSA, 66-58. The Lady Raiders are 5-0 against the Roadrunners in Lubbock.
The Coaches
Texas Tech head coach Kristy Curry is in her fifth season at the helm of the Lady Raiders. Curry has compiled a record of 73-62 at Tech and a career record of 252-113 in 12 years. Rae Rippatoe-Blair is in her 11th year as head coach at UTSA with a record of 179-126. She is also in her 17th year as a head coach with a career record of 286-170.
The Last Time Out
Texas Tech women's basketball won all three games to capture the Basketball Travelers World Vision Classic as it defeated Sam Houston State, 65-52, in the championship game Sunday afternoon. Tech jumped out to a 9-2 lead before Sam Houston got within two points at 10-8 at the 14:27 mark. However, the Lady Raiders scored the next six points to take a 16-8 lead at 13:04. During that time Kelsi Baker scored four of the six points for the Lady Raiders. Tech got its first double-digit lead of the game with just under six minutes to play in the first half when Casey Morris nailed a three-pointer to put the score at 25-15. Kierra Mallard followed that up with a layup to make it 27-15 with 4:35 to go. Morris hammered in another three at 3:07 to give Tech is biggest lead of the half at 32-15. The Lady Raiders held the Bearkats scoreless for six and half minutes until Britni Martin made two free throws with 2:08 remaining cut Tech's lead to 32-17. Tech did not score the last three minutes of the first period and led 32-21 at the half. Sam Houston came out in the second half and scored seven points in the first two and half minutes to narrow Tech's lead to 35-28. The Lady Raiders got back their double-digit lead at 42-30 as Mary Bokenkamp hit a three-pointer at 13:35. The Bearkats got within 11 points at 54-43 with 5:40 to go when Khamra Echols made a layup. Tech then responded by going on a 9-1 run to go up by 19 points with 2:59 left. Again the Lady Raiders went up by 19, its largest lead of the game, as Teena Wickett made a layup with two minutes to go in the contest. Morris, Mallard and Wickett again scored in double figures as Morris led with 17 points, while Mallard and Wickett had 15 and 13, respectively. Mallard recorded Tech's first double-double of the year as she finished with 11 rebounds. She also had four blocks en route to being named the MVP of the tournament. Morris and Wickett were also named to the all-tournament team. Sequeena Thomas had 20 points and 16 rebounds for Sam Houston State. Tech shot 36.4 percent from the field, hitting 24 of 66 shots, while the Bearkats shot 29.5 percent (18-61). The Lady Raiders outrebounded Sam Houston State 51-44.
A Look Ahead
Texas Tech will take part in the Big Ten/Big 12 Challenge as it plays at Penn State on Sun., Dec. 5, at 1 p.m. CST. The Lady Raiders' last home game of 2010 will be on Tues., Dec. 7, against Northwestern State at 7 p.m. on the Texas Tech Sports Network. Tech heads west for the Las Vegas Holiday Hoops Classic and plays Pittsburgh on Sun., Dec. 19, at 2 p.m. CST and California on Mon., Dec. 20, at 4:15 p.m. CST. The games will be played at the Event Center at South Point Hotel, Casino and Spa. The Lady Raiders conclude non-conference play with a game at Western Kentucky on Wed., Dec. 29, at 7 p.m., and a home game with Houston Baptist on Mon., Jan. 3.
Non-Conference Games
Texas Tech owns a 50-13 record in regular-season non-conference games in the Kristy Curry era, including the seven wins this season. Of the 13 losses, four of them have been to teams ranked in the top 15 - No. 15 Stanford (2006-07), No. 10 Arizona State (2006-07); No. 3 California (2008-09) and No. 8 Tennessee (2009-10).
NCAA Stats
As of games throught Nov. 28, sophomore Casey Morris ranks 21st in three-point field goal percentage at 51.4, sophomore Monique Smalls is 25th in steals per game at 3.3, junior Kierra Mallard is 43rd in blocked shots per game at 2.0 and senior Teena Wickett is 49th in assist/turnover ratio at 2.14, among all Division I players. As a team, Texas Tech ranks first in won-lost percentage at 1.000, fourth in scoring defense at 45.9, 15th in scoring margin at 23.4, 16th in rebound margin at 12.9, 18th in field goal percentage defense at 32.3, 22nd in steals at 13.3, 27th in assist/turnover ratio at 1.03, 29th in assists per game at 17.3, 33rd in personal fouls per game at 15.0 and 48th in turnover margin at 4.29, among all Division I teams.
Ball Snatchers
Texas Tech has tallied 93 steals in its first four games for an average of 13.3 steals per game, which ranks second in the Big 12. Senior Teena Wickett registered a career-high four steals against Sam Houston State on Sunday.
Lady Raiders Continue to Win
Texas Tech went 4-0 last week beating Mississippi Valley State and then winning all three games in the Basketball Travelers World Vision Classic against Charleston Southern, American and Sam Houston State. In the World Vision Classic, Tech held its opponents to an average of 48.7 points per game, and for all four games last week, Tech held its opponents to 43.5 points per contest.
All-Tournament Team
Junior Kierra Mallard was named MVP of the World Vision Classic, while senior Teena Wickett and sophomore Casey Morris were named to the all-tournament team. All three scored in double figures in all three games over the weekend.
Season High for Mallard
Junior Kierra Mallard scored a season-high 24 points in leading Texas Tech to a 25-point win over Charleston Southern, just one point shy of tying her career high. Texas Tech scored 62 of its 82 points in the paint.
Wickett Dishes Out Career High
Senior Teena Wickett dished out a career-high eight assists in the win over Charleston Southern. Her previous high was seven against Santa Clara during her sophomore year at Pepperdine.
Over 50 Percent from the Field
The Lady Raiders shot over 50 percent in two of its games in the World Vision Classic. Tech shot a season-high 60.3 percent against Charleston Southern and then followed that up with a 50.9 percent versus American.
Under 50 Points
Texas Tech has held its opponents to an average of 45.9 points per game so far this season with the lowest scoring output being 37 points by American on Nov. 27.
Lowest Opponent Output Since 2003
The Lady Raiders held Mississippi Valley State to just 28 points on Nov. 23. It was the lowest-scoring output by an opponent since Wyoming had 26 points on Dec. 6, 2003, which tied the school record. Tech also only allowed 26 points against McMurry back on Feb. 24, 1978.
Largest Rebound Margin in Six Years
Texas Tech outrebounded Mississippi Valley State by 30 boards - 56-26, marking the largest rebound margin since having 25 more than Sacramento State (57-32) on Dec. 28, 2004.
Hyde Scores Season High
Sophomore Christine Hyde came off the bench to score a season-high 15 points versus Mississippi Valley State. Hyde was just one point shy of tying her career high of 16 points which she had last year against Houston in the Postseason WNIT.
All 15 Players See Minutes, Again
For the third time this season, all 15 players saw playing time in the win over American in the 26-point win. All 15 also played at New Mexico and against Mississippi Valley State.
Smalls Starting Streak
Sophomore Monique Smalls got her 40th-straight start against Sam Houston State last Sunday. The Woodlands, Texas, native was the only player to start all 33 games in 2009-10.
Under 50 Points
Texas Tech has held its opponents to an average of 45.9 points per game so far this season with the lowest scoring output being 37 points by American on Nov. 27.
Back-to-Back Double-Digit Boards
Senior Teena Wickett recorded back-to-back games of double-digit rebounds as she grabbed 12 boards against Samford, just one shy of tying her career high of 13, which she established against UCLA during her sophomore year at Pepperdine. She then collected 11 rebounds against Idaho State the following game.
Career High for Bokenkamp
Sophomore Mary Bokenkamp came off the bench to score a career-high 15 points against Idaho State. She also connected on a career-high five three pointers in 24 minutes of action.
Poor Shooting Night
Texas Tech shot just 28.4 percent from the field against Idaho State. The Lady Raiders connected on just 19 of 67 shot attempts. The field goal percentage marked the lowest shooting percentage for Tech since shooting 27.6 percent (16-58) against Iowa State on Feb. 28, 2009.
Career High for Wickett
In her first game as a Lady Raider, senior Teena Wickett poured in a career-high 19 points in the win at New Mexico. Wickett was 8-14 from the field in 24 minutes of play.
Three in Double Digits
Senior Teena Wickett, junior Kierra Mallard and sophomore Casey Morris all scored in double figures to lead Texas Tech to an 80-53 victory at New Mexico. All three started the game as Wickett finished with 19 points, followed by Morris with 17 and Mallard with 15.
Wright to Be Inducted into Hall of Fame
Assistant coach Shereka Wright will be inducted into the Texas High School Basketball Hall of Fame as a player in May 2011. Wright was the USA Today, Gatorade and WBCA Player of the Year as a senior at Copperas Cove High School in 2000. She was also named first team all-state and Miss Basketball in the state of Texas. She finished her high school career with 3,269 points.
New Faces
Texas Tech has four new faces in the locker room this season - freshmen Kelsi Baker, Antiesha Brown, Haley Schneider and Ebony Walker. Also making their first appearance in a Lady Raider uniform is senior Teena Wickett, sophomore Casey Morris and redshirt freshman Shauntal Nobles. All three sat out last season.
Class Breakdown
The 2010-11 Lady Raiders are young. This year's roster has just three upperclassmen with one senior - Teena Wickett - and two juniors - Jordan Barncastle and Kierra Mallard. The sophomore class consists of Marissa Ashton, Chynna Brown, Mary Bokenkamp, Christine Hyde, Lindie Kimbro, Casey Morris and Monique Smalls. The five freshmen round out the roster - Kelsi Baker, Antiesha Brown, Shauntal Nobles, Haley Schneider and Ebony Walker.
Coaches Have Ties
Head coach Kristy Curry has put together a staff that is very familiar with each other. Curry has ties with all of her three assistant coaches with the first being her husband, Kelly Curry. Kelly has been on both of Kristy's staffs as a assistant coach at Purdue and Texas Tech, while Brooke Stoehr and Shereka Wright were both players for Kristy and Kelly. Stoehr, the former Brooke Lassiter was a guard at Louisiana Tech from 1998-2002 and played one season for Kristy and Kelly when they were both assistant coaches for the Lady Techsters. That year, 1999, Louisiana Tech advanced to the NCAA Final Four. In the spring of 1999, Kristy became the head coach at Purdue and in the fall of 1999 she signed Wright to attend Purdue. Wright helped lead Purdue to the 2001 National Championship game and was named to the NCAA Final Four All-Tournament team.
On the Tube
Texas Tech has nine regular-season games televised this season. The Lady Raiders will appear on FSN twice - Feb. 19 vs. Baylor and Feb. 26 vs. Oklahoma State. The game at Kansas on Jan. 8 will air in the Kansas City metro area on Metro Sports. Six games will be televised on the Texas Tech Sports Network - Samford (W, 58-42), Northwestern State (Dec. 7), Kansas State (Jan. 15), at Oklahoma (Jan. 19), Texas A&M (Feb. 5) and Oklahoma (Mar. 5). David Thetford will be doing the play-by-play for the Texas TechSports Network while former Lady Raider head coach Marsha Sharp will provide the color commentary. The following affiliates will televise all TTSN games:
Amarillo - KCPN-TV 33
Beaumont-Port Arthur - KUIL/MYTX
Lubbock - My Lubbock TV KMYL
Tyler-Longview - MYTX/KYTX DT-2
Waco-Temple-Bryan - KYTX/KCEN DT-2
ESPN Full Court for Samford, Northwestern State and Oklahoma
Time Warner Cable (Texas Channel) for just the Samford, at Oklahoma and Texas A&M games
Follow the Lady Raiders
All Lady Raider basketball games can be heard live on the Texas Tech Sports Network. TTSN has put together a seven-station network that offers coverage through the state of Texas and in parts of New Mexico. KJTV/KLZK-Lubbock serve as the network flagship stations. Listen to play-by-play by Steve Strain and color commentary by Crystal Boles as they take the court with the Lady Raiders. The following radio stations will air the Lady Raider basketball games this season:
Abilene/Haskell - KVRP 97.1 FM
Hereford - KPAN 106.3 FM
Hobbs, NM - KHOB 1390 AM
Lamesa - KPET 690 AM
Lubbock - KJTV 950 AM
Lubbock - KLZK 97.3 FM
The Kristy Curry Radio Show
The Kristy Curry Radio Show be held on 10 Mondays throughout the season beginning in December. The show will be held at Ruby Tequila's located on north University Avenue from 6-7 p.m. The following are the dates for the 2010-11 season: December 6, 13; January 10, 17, 24, 31; February 7, 14, 28; and March 7.
Signed, Sealed and Delivered
Texas Tech signed standout guard Amber Battle to a National Letter of Intent to attend Texas Tech in the fall of 2011. The 5-9 Battle hails from Albuquerque, N.M. and averaged 16 points, seven rebounds and five assists as a junior at Cibola High School. Battle is the 13th-ranked guard in the country by ESPN HoopGurlz.com, as well as the No. 76 overall player.
