Texas Tech University Athletics
Tech to Play in Las Vegas Holiday Hoops Classic
December 16, 2010 | Women's Basketball
Dec. 16, 2010
Las Vegas Holiday Hoops Classic Gamenotes 
Las Vegas Holiday Hoops Classic Preview
Upcoming Promotions
Houston Baptist • Jan. 3
•Four (4) tickets for $20 - Holiday gift from the Red Raiders. Call 742-TECH to order in advance. Also available on gameday.
•Football VIP Card offer - Football season ticket holders presenting their VIP card at the window on gameday can purchase $5 tickets.
•Guns Up Club Members - Free admission.
Las Vegas Holiday Hoops Classic
Events Center at South Point Hotel, Casino and Spa
Texas Tech (9-1) vs. Pittsburgh (5-4) • Sunday, December 19 • 2 p.m. CST
Texas Tech (9-1) vs. California (6-2) • Monday, December 20 • 4:15 p.m. CST
The Games
Texas Tech (9-1) hits the road for three-straight games beginning with the Las Vegas Holiday Hoops Classic on Dec. 19-20. On Sun., Dec. 19, Tech plays Pittsburgh (5-4) at 2 p.m. CST and then on Mon., Dec. 20, it faces California (6-2) at 4:15 p.m. CST. The tournament is being held at the Events Center at the South Point Hotel, Casino and Spa. It is the Lady Raiders' third trip in the last seven seasons to Las Vegas as they competed in a tournament in December 2004 and played one game at UNLV in November 2007.
On the Air
The games can be heard on the radio on the Texas Tech Sports Network as Steve Strain calls the games. The audio of the games is available at TexasTech.com through RaiderVision All Access. There will also be live video stream and live stats available for both games and can be accessed at TexasTech.com on the women's basketball schedule/results page.
The Lady Raiders
Texas Tech is 9-1 on the year after defeating Northwestern State, 91-60, on Dec. 7. On the year, junior Kierra Mallard paces the team in scoring with a 14.2 average followed by sophomore Casey Morris at 11.3 and senior Teena Wickett at 10.4. Wickett is the top rebounder, grabbing 7.1 boards per outing, while Mallard is averaging 6.8. Mallard is shooting 51.3 percent from the field. Sophomore Mary Bokenkamp is shooting a team-best 46.2 percent from behind the arc, and Morris has a team-high 78.3 percent from the free throw line. Sophomore Monique Smalls has team highs of 40 assists and 32 steals. Mallard is the top shot blocker with 18 blocks. The Lady Raiders are averaging 72.7 points per game, while allowing its opponents to 50.0 points per contest. Tech is shooting 43.4 percent from the field, 35.9 percent from three-point range and 68.9 percent from the charity stripe.
The Opponents
Pittsburgh owns a 5-4 overall record and is 0-1 in Big East play. The Panthers won at Valparaiso, 86-51, in their last game on Dec. 11. On the year, senior Jania Sims leads the team in scoring with a 12.9 average followed by senior Taneisha Harrison at 11.9. Senior Chelsea Cole is grabbing a team-high 10.1 rebounds per contest. Sims has a team-best 29 assists, while Harrison leads the Panthers in steals with 16. Senior Shayla Scott is the top shot blocker with 10 blocks. Pitt is shooting 44.1 percent from the field, 25.2 percent from three-point range and 65 percent from the free throw line. The Panthers are scoring 68.9 points per game, while their opponents are averaging 60.9.
Entering the tournament with a 6-2 record, California will play Texas-Arlington on Dec. 19 prior to its game with Texas Tech on the 20th. The Bears defeated Long Beach State, 82-56, in their last contest on Dec. 11. On the year, a trio of sophomores lead Cal in scoring led by DeNesha Stallworth at 18.0 and followed by Layshia Clarendon at 15.3 and Talia Caldwell at 12.5. Caldwell is the top rebounder, averaging 9.5 boards per outing. Sophomore Eliza Pierre has team highs of 35 assists and 32 steals. Stallworth has a team-best 11 blocks. Cal is shooting 42.2 percent from the field, 29.6 percent from the three-point arc and 64 percent from the charity stripe. The Bears are averaging 71.1 points per game, while allowing their opponents just 58.1 points.
The Series
Pittsburgh ~ Texas Tech and Pitt are meeting for just the second time in the series with the Lady Raiders winning the first game, 91-63, on Dec. 28, 1991, in the Cardinal Classic in Louisville, Ky.
California ~ It is the fourth time Texas Tech and California are playing as the Bears have a 2-1 advantage over the Lady Raiders. Cal beat Tech, 68-54, in their last contest on Nov. 28, 2008, in the Paradise Jam in St. Thomas, U.S. Virgin Islands. The Lady Raiders' lone win came in the second meeting in a 76-69 victory on Dec. 1, 2003, in Lubbock. The Bears won the first game, 62-60, in Berkeley on Dec. 21, 1991.
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 75-63 at Tech and a career record of 254-114 in 12 years. Angus Berenato is in her eighth year as head coach at Pitt with a record of 135-93. She is also in her 27th year as a head coach with a career record of 418-357. In her sixth year as head coach at Cal, Joanne Boyle has compiled a record of 125-50, and has a career record of 192-79 in her nine years.
The Last Time Out
Jordan Barncastle scored a career-high 24 points as the Texas Tech women's basketball team got back on the winning track with a 91-60 win over Northwestern State. Jumping out to a 12-2 lead, Tech only allowed NSU just two points in the first four minutes. Christine Hyde scored a layup at 14:38 to put the score at 16-5, but from there the Lady Demons scored eight-straight points to cut the Lady Raiders' lead to three. It was the closest NSU would get in the first half. With 58 second to go in the half, Chynna Brown nailed a three-pointer to give Tech a 14-point advantage. Twenty-eight seconds later Brown hit a three-foot jumper along the right side baseline to put the Lady Raiders up by 16 at 44-28, their largest lead of the half. Tech led 44-30 at the half. The Lady Raiders opened the second period on a 7-0 run to go up 51-30. The Lady Demons didn't score until the 17:34 mark. Tech continued to dominate in the second half, going up by as many as 33 points when Ebony Walker made a short jumper with 44 seconds to go in the game. The closest Northwestern State got in the second half was 15 points twice, with the last time coming with just over 11 minutes to go in the contest. Along with Barncastle's 24 points, Teena Wickett added 13 points and Kierra Mallard chipped in 12. Wickett also had eight rebounds and three steals. Monique Smalls and Casey Morris both finished with five assists and Smalls tallied three steals as well. Trudy Armstead scored 18 points to lead Northwestern State. For the third time this season the Lady Raiders shot over 50 percent from the field as they hit 54 percent of their shots (34-63). NSU was 40.6 percent (26-64) from the field. Tech outrebounded the Lady Demons 49-24.
A Look Ahead
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. Tech opens Big 12 play at Kansas on Sat., Jan. 8, at 7 p.m. The game will be televised on Metro Sports which will air only in the Kansas City area. The Lady Raiders open their home portion of their conference schedule on Wed., Jan. 12, against Missouri at 7 p.m.
Non-Conference Games
Texas Tech owns a 52-14 record in regular-season non-conference games in the Kristy Curry era, including the nine wins and one loss this season. Of the 14 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 through Dec. 12, sophomore Monique Smalls is 22nd in steals per game at 3.2 and sophomore Casey Morris is 30th in three-point field goal percentage at 44.2, among all Division I players. As a team, Texas Tech ranks ninth in scoring defense at 50.7, 11th in scoring margin at 22.7, 14th in rebound margin at 13.8, 14th in personal fouls per game at 13.2, 14th in won-lost percentage at 90.0, 21st in assists per game at 17.3, 22nd in steals per game at 12.6, 25th in assist/turnover ratio at 1.05, 35th in field goal percentage defense at 34.6, 46th in scoring offense at 72.7, and 47th in turnover margin at 3.90, among all Division I teams.
Ball Snatchers
Texas Tech has tallied 126 steals in its 10 games for an average of 12.6 steals per game, which ranks second in the Big 12. Sophomore Monique Smalls tied her career-high six steals at Penn State.
Smalls Starting Streak
Sophomore Monique Smalls got her 43rd-straight start vs. Northwestern State. The Woodlands, Texas, native was the only player to start all 33 games in 2009-10.
Mallard Starts Scoring Streak
Junior Kierra Mallard has started another scoring streak as she has scored in double figures in the last seven games. Mallard has scored double digits in nine of the 10 games.
Career High for JB
Senior Jordan Barncastle scored a career-high 24 points in the win over Northwestern State. The junior forward shot 80 percent from the field, 100 percent from three-point range and 100 percent from the charity stripe. She also finished with seven rebounds, tied a season-high three assists, tied a career-high two blocks and added a steal.
Third Time Over 50 Percent from the Field
For the third time this season, the Lady Raiders shot over 50 percent from the field as they made 54 percent of their shots, connecting on 34-of-63 attempts against Northwestern State. Tech shot over 50 percent in two of its games in the World Vision Classic as it shot a season-high 60.3 percent against Charleston Southern and then followed that up with a 50.9 percent versus American.
Season High for C. Brown
Sophomore Chynna Brown had a season-high nine points against Northwestern State as she came off the bench and saw 23 minutes of action.
Outrebounding Opponents
In the 10 games this year, the Lady Raiders have outrebounded their opponents eight times. Tech is outrebounding its opponents by 13.2 boards per contest, which is second best in the Big 12.
Baker Sparks Bench
Texas Tech scored 44 points from its bench against UTSA and leading the way was freshman Kelsi Baker who scored a career-high 12 points in 16 minutes of play. Baker, along with sophomore Chynna Brown, played the most minutes in the game against the Roadrunners. Since suffering a hamstring injury prior to the season, Baker has slowly moved her way up the bench and is now one of the first two substitutions into the game.
Second-Straight Double-Double
Junior Kierra Mallard recorded her second-straight double-double, her second of the season as well and the 11th of her career, as she scored 12 points and collected 10 rebounds versus UTSA. She had 15 points and 11 rebounds in the game prior against Sam Houston State.
Holding Players to Under 10 points
In two games this season, the Lady Raiders have held all players to under 10 points. First was against Mississippi Valley State and the second came four games later versus UTSA. Both Mississippi Valley State's and UTSA's leading scorer had just nine points.
Opponents Points Per Game
Texas Tech has held its opponents to just 48.9 points per game. The only opponent to score over 60 points so far this season has been Penn State who scored 76, while Mississippi Valley State scored only 28 points. Tech has held two of its opponents to under 40 points and two to under 50 points.
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.
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.
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 (W, 91-60), 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 Tech Sports 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 Oklahoma
Time Warner Cable (Texas Channel) for at Oklahoma and Texas A&M
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
Plainview - KVOP 1090 AM
The Kristy Curry Radio Show
The Kristy Curry Radio Show will be held on 10 Mondays throughout the season. The show is held at Ruby Tequila's located on north University Avenue from 6-7 p.m. The following are the remaining dates: 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.
