Texas Tech University Athletics
GAME PREVIEW: Texas Tech at Houston
November 16, 2011 | Women's Basketball
The No. 25 Lady Raiders (1-0) take on Houston (0-1) tonight at 7 p.m.. Nov. 16, 2011
WHO: No. 25 Texas Tech Lady Raiders (1-0) at Houston Cougars (0-1)
WHEN: 7 p.m., Wednesday, Nov. 16, 2011
WHERE: Hofheinz Pavilion (8,479); Houston, Texas
TV: None
RADIO: 97.3 FM (Lubbock)
PLAY-BY-PLAY: Steve Strain (3rd Season)
TEXAS TECH
The No. 25 Lady Raiders go on the road for the first time this season after winning their season opener in Lubbock, 69-43 over New Mexico on Nov. 11. Junior Kelsi Baker led four Lady Raiders in double figures with 12 - tying a career-high for her. This is the first meeting between the two teams since Texas Tech beat Houston, 80-77, in the 2010 NIT Postseason Tournament. The Lady Raiders won the last meeting against the Cougars in Houston, 69-51, on Nov. 14, 2006.
HOUSTON
The Cougars lost a nail-biter in their season opener at home against New Mexico State, 63-62, despite a career-high 37-point performance from senior Porsche Landry. Houston shot 43 percent in the second half - 39.1 percent for the game - but hit only 1 of 19, 3-point attempts in the loss. The Cougs used their pressure defense to help force 27 turnovers and score 22 points off the errors. Houston won the last regular season meeting, 66-63, in 2007.
PROBABLE STARTERS
TEXAS TECH LADY RAIDERS (1-0)
NO. NAME HT P YR STATS
23 Monique Smalls 5-6 G JR 11 pts/game
15 Casey Morris 5-9 G JR 10 pts/game
5 Christine Hyde 5-10 G JR 7 pts/game
20 Kierra Mallard 6-3 F SR 11 pts/game
33 Shauntal Nobles 6-3 F SO 0 pts/game
HOUSTON COUGARS (0-1)
NO. NAME HT P YR STATS
23 Tasha Tubbs 5-8 G JR 4 pts/game
22 Roxana Button 5-9 G SR 11 pts/game
20 Porsche Landry 5-5 G SR 37 pts/game
25 Mae Woods 6-4 C SO 4 pts/game
21 Amanda Lawson 5-10 F FR 4 pts/game
AGAINST THE COUGARS
Texas Tech leads the overall series against Houston 34-14, winning three of the last five contests under head coach Kristy Curry. Tech beat Houston, 80-77, in the 2010 NIT Postseason Tournament. The Lady Raiders won the last meeting against the Cougars in Houston, 69-51, on Nov. 14, 2006 - Curry's first season as head coach. Houston won the last regular season meeting in 2007, 66-63, in Lubbock.
BACK IN THE RANKINGS
Texas Tech earned a No. 25 ranking in The Associated Press Top 25 for the first time this season on Monday following its 69-43 win over New Mexico. The Lady Raiders have not been ranked in either poll since Jan. 24 when they entered the USA Today/Coaches Poll at No. 25. Tech has not been ranked in The AP Poll since Nov. 27, 2006 (No. 25).
RAISE THE BANNER
Texas Tech lifted its 2011 NCAA Tournament banner before the beginning of its season opening game at United Spirit Arena on Nov. 11. The Lady Raiders made the NCAA Tournament last season for 19th time in program history. The 19 appearances in the tournament are the second-most among all Big 12 Conference schools.
BAKER'S DOZEN
Sophomore forward Kelsi Baker tied a career-high in points with 12 against New Mexico on Nov. 11 to lead four Lady Raiders in double-digit points. Baker tied her performance from last season against Sam Houston State (Nov. 28, 2010).
OPENING ACT
Texas Tech is 34-3 in home openers and 6-0 under current head coach Kristy Curry following the Lady Raiders' 69-43 season-opening win over New Mexico on Nov. 11. Tech's only losses in home openers came in 2005 (LSU, 76-68), 1989 (Grambling State, 67-64) and its very first game in 1975 against Western Texas Junior College (83-40).
LEADING WITH DEFENSE
Texas Tech forced 30 turnovers in its opening season game against New Mexico — 21 coming off steals, led by junior guard Monique Smalls who had a career-high seven steals. The Lady Raiders lead the Big 12 in turnover margin (+16) and steals.
DOUBLE-TROUBLE
Texas Tech junior guard Casey Morris scored 10 points in the Lady Raiders' win against New Mexico, giving her double-digit points for the 21st time in 34 games.
STAYING PERFECT
Texas Tech defeated New Mexico for the second consecutive season and sixth consecutive time at home. The Lady Raiders' 26-point margin of victory is their third-highest margin of victory over the Lobos at home. Tech's average margin of victory at home against the Lobos is 28.5 (79-50.5).
CHASING 800
Texas Tech is just three wins away from its 800th win in program history. The Lady Raiders have won an average of 22 wins per season - the same number they had overall last year, winning more than 20 games for the first time since 2004-05. Kristy Curry is also now 11 wins away from her 100th win at Texas Tech, second only in Tech history to hall of fame coach Marsha Sharp. Here is how the wins break down by coach:
YEARS COACH RECORD
2006-now Kristy Curry 89-73
1982-2006 Marsha Sharp 572-175
1980-1982 Donna Wick 30-29
1977-1980 Gay Benson 73-47
1975-77 Susie Lynch 33-35
797-373
All-Time Winningest Programs (By Wins)
Rank Team First Season Wins Losses
1. Tennessee 1903 1,166 256
2. Louisiana Tech 1975 1,000 213
3. Old Dominion 1970 929 327
4. James Madison 1921 908 488
5. Stephen F. Austin 1969 905 375
6. Texas 1977 868 296
7. Ohio St. 1966 861 363
8. Tennessee Tech 1971 838 415
9. Stanford 1977 833 275
10. Georgia 1974 812 344
11. Penn St. 1965 807 373
12. Kansas St. 1969 804 478
13. Long Beach St. 1964 802 454
14. Connecticut 1983 799 180
15. Auburn 1972 798 361
15. Texas Tech 1976 797 373
