Texas Tech University Athletics
Texas Tech Faces No. 20 Iowa State on Wednesday
February 15, 2011 | Women's Basketball
Feb. 15, 2011
Upcoming Promotions
Iowa State • Feb. 16
• "Fill the Bowl Night" - Bring four cans of food and purchase $5 tickets. Ticket limit of (4) four.
• Double T Day - Kids 12 and under admitted free with a full priced adult ticket. Cannot be combined with any other offer or promotion.
• Silly Band Giveaway - First 100 kids to the marketing table on the southeast concourse will receive a package of Texas Tech Silly Bands.
• Wienerschnitzel Family 4 Pack - Four tickets, four hot dogs, four popcorns, four sodas. Call 742-TECH or order online today.
• Guns Up Club Members - Free admission.
Baylor • Feb. 19
• "WBCA Pink Zone Game" - All fans wearing pink can purchase $5 tickets.
• Lady Raider Reunion - Make plans to attend to welcome back your Lady Raiders from years past.
• Girl Scout Day - Local area girl scouts can purchase a girl scout pack that includes a ticket to the game, hotdog, popcorn, soda, and girl scout patch for only $10. Call 742-TECH for more information.
• Wienerschnitzel Family 4 Pack - Four tickets, four hot dogs, four popcorns, four sodas. Call 742-TECH or order online today.
• Guns Up Club Members - Free admission.
Texas Tech (17-7/4-6 Big 12) vs. No. 20/20 Iowa State (17-7/5-5 Big 12)
Wednesday, February 16 • Lubbock, Texas
United Spirit Arena (15,050) • 7 p.m.
The Game
Texas Tech (17-7/4-6) returns home for two-straight games starting with No. 20/23 Iowa State (17-7/5-5) on Wed., Feb. 16, at 7 p.m., at the United Spirit Arena. It is the 18th 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 TexasTech.com through RaiderVision All Access. Live stats are available through GameTracker at TexasTech.com.
The Lady Raiders
Texas Tech is 17-7 overall and 4-6 in the Big 12 after snapping a six-game losing streak on Saturday with a 72-44 win at Colorado. On the year, junior Kierra Mallard paces the team in scoring with a 12.9 average followed by senior Teena Wickett at 10.3 and sophomore Casey Morris at 9.8. Mallard is averaging a team-best 7.3 rebounds per outing, while Wickett is averaging 6.3. Wickett is shooting 49.7 percent from the field. Sophomore Mary Bokenkamp is shooting a team-high 44.7 percent from behind the arc, and sophomore Chynna Brown has a team-best 86.7 percent from the free throw line. Sophomore Monique Smalls has team highs of 82 assists and 59 steals. Mallard is the top shot blocker with 44 blocks. The Lady Raiders are averaging 67.1 points per game, while allowing their opponents 55.6 points per contest. Tech is shooting 42.5 percent from the field, 34.4 percent from three-point range and 67.4 percent from the charity stripe.
The Opponent
No. 20/23 Iowa State owns a 17-7 overall record and is 5-5 in Big 12 play after beating Kansas State, 61-53, last Sunday in Ames. On the year, senior Kelsey Bolte paces the Cyclones in scoring with an 18.5 average followed by freshman Hallie Christofferson at 10.1. Sophomore Chelsea Poppens is the top rebounder, grabbing 7.4 boards per contest. Junior Lauren Mansfield has a team-high 85 assists while Bolte leads the team in steals with 26. Christofferson is the top shot blocker with 20 blocks. ISU is scoring 66.7 points per game while allowing its opponents 55.2. The Cyclones are shooting 44.6 percent from the field, 37.8 percent from the three-point arc and 70.9 percent from the free throw line.
The Series
Texas Tech and Iowa State are meeting for the 18th time in the series with the Cyclones holding a 9-8 advantage over the Lady Raiders. ISU has won the last five games, including a 63-48 triumph last year in Ames on Feb. 3. The Cyclones were victorious, 59-52, the last time in Lubbock on Feb. 28, 2009. The last wins for Tech came in 2005, first in Lubbock, 89-62, on Feb. 8, and then again in the quarterfinals of the Big 12 Championship, 61-59, on March 5, in Kansas City, Mo. Tech is 5-2 against Iowa State 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 83-69 at Tech and a career record of 262-120 in 12 years. Bill Fennelly is in his 16th year as head coach at Iowa State with a record of 349-156. He is also in his 23rd year as a head coach with a career record of 515-209.
Last Year vs. Iowa State
February 3 - (AP) Kelsey Bolte scored 19 points, including hitting five 3-pointers, and No. 22 Iowa State beat Texas Tech 63-48. Alison Lacey added 13 points, 10 rebounds and seven assists for the Cyclones, who won for the fifth time in six games. Texas Tech dropped its sixth straight Big 12 Conference game, all to teams ranked in the Top 25. Iowa State, the league's top defensive team, held the Lady Raiders to 32.7 percent shooting and finished with a 39-25 rebounding edge. Nine times this season ISU has held opponents to 50 points or less. The Cyclones trailed 22-21 after Monique Smalls' steal and lay-up with 5:49 to play in the first half. But Tech didn't hit a field goal the rest of the half and watched as Iowa State went into the break on a 14-2 run and broke the game open. Ashlee Roberson led the Lady Raiders with 12 points.
The Last Time Out
(AP) - Casey Morris scored 19 points as Texas Tech snapped a six-game losing streak by defeating Colorado, 72-44. Colorado opened the game with a six-point lead, 9-3, the first five minutes of the contest before Tech fought back to tie the game at 9-9 at 13:30 when Chynna Brown made a layup. From there, the rest of the game belonged to the Lady Raiders. When Shauntal Nobles hit a turnaround jumper with 3:30 left in the half that gave Tech a 29-19 lead - its first double-digit lead since the Kansas State game on Jan. 15. The Lady Raiders got their largest lead of the half, 16 points, as Teena Wickett made a layup with 13 seconds left, which gave Tech a 37-21 advantage at the half. Tech shot 63.6 percent from the field the first 20 minutes, connecting on 14-of-22 shots - including 3-of-4 from three-point range for 75 percent. The Lady Raiders continued to dominate in the second half as their first 20-point lead came at 15:04 when Kelsi Baker hit a three-pointer from the right side, the second three of her career, to put Tech up 22 points at 46-24. Tech's biggest lead of the game came with just over five minutes to go in the contest as Ebony Walker dished the ball off to Brown who made a layup to put the Lady Raiders up 30 points at 65-35. All 14 players saw action as Lindie Kimbro capped off the game by nailing a three-pointer with 17 seconds left on the clock to give Tech the 28-point win. The Lady Raiders had three players in double figures led by Morris' 19 points and followed by Christine Hyde with 12 and Kierra Mallard with 11. Mallard also grabbed a team-high six rebounds. Brittany Spears led Colorado with 12 points and 11 rebounds. Tech shot 56 percent from the field (28-50), its best shooting percentage so far during Big 12 play. The Buffaloes shot 32.6 percent (15-46). The Lady Raiders also hit 7-of-10 threes for 70 percent. Colorado outrebounded Tech 33-26 and the Buffaloes committed 28 turnovers to the Lady Raiders' 15.
A Look Ahead
Texas Tech hosts Baylor on Sat., Feb. 19, at 12:30 p.m. on FSN. On Tues., Feb. 22, Tech will play its second to last road game at Texas A&M at 7 p.m. and then come back to Lubbock to face Oklahoma State on Sat., Feb. 26, at 5 p.m. on FSN. The Lady Raiders wrap-up Big 12 play with a game at Texas on Wed., March 2, at 7 p.m., and then a home game against Oklahoma on Sat., March 5, at 2 p.m. on the Texas Tech Sports Network. The Big 12 Championship will take place March 8-9, 11-12 in Kansas City, Mo.
NCAA RPI
In the NCAA RPI (rate percentage index) as of games through Feb. 13, Texas Tech is ranked 40th.
New Website Unveiled
The women's basketball program unveiled a new fan website on Jan. 4 - www.goladyraiders.com. Fans can keep up with the Lady Raiders on this new and exciting website that features the past and the present of Lady Raider basketball. The website is an interactive site that provides video, information and a more inside look at the Texas Tech women's basketball program. Content will be updated throughout the season to keep fans up-to-date on the Lady Raiders.
NCAA Stats
As of games through Feb. 13, Texas Tech ranks 30th in rebound margin at 6.2, 34th in scoring margin at 11.5, 37th in scoring defense at 55.6 and 39th in steals per game at 10.8, among all Division I teams.
Ball Snatchers
Texas Tech has tallied 260 steals in its 24 games for an average of 10.8 steals per game, which ranks second in the Big 12. Tech had a season-high 18 steals versus Missouri as senior Teena Wickett tallied a career-high six steals in that game.
Opponents Points Per Game
Texas Tech has held its opponents to 55.6 points per game. Only nine opponents have scored 60 or more points, including four over 70 points, while Mississippi Valley State scored only 28 points. Tech has held three of its opponents to under 40 points and three to under 50 points.
Mallard Cracks Top 10 in Blocks
Junior Kierra Mallard cracked the top 10 in career blocks this season and currently stands tied for fifth all-time with 135 blocks. Standing in fourth place is Stacey Siebert (1986-90) with 154. Mallard recorded a career-high seven blocks at Oklahoma.
Smalls Starting Streak
Sophomore Monique Smalls got her 57th-straight start at Colorado. The Woodlands, Texas, native was the only player to start all 33 games in 2009-10.
Best Start Since 2003-04
Texas Tech started the season 16-1, which was its best start since the 2003-04 season when it went 17-1 to start the year. That season the Lady Raiders finished 25-8 and lost in the second round of the NCAA Championship to Louisiana Tech in Missoula, Mont. It is the first time Tech has started Big 12 play 3-0 under Kristy Curry.
First Home Loss
The Lady Raiders suffered their first home loss of the season to Texas, 75-67, on Jan. 26. Tech had won 12-straight games at the United Spirit Arena - 11 this year and versus Houston in the postseason WNIT in 2010.
Second Half Struggles
In three of four Big 12 games, Texas Tech had been winning at halftime but came up short in the end. Tech was up two at the half at then No. 14/13 Oklahoma, up one at No. 1/1 Baylor and up seven at home against Texas. Ironically, in two of the three games prior to OU, Tech was down at the half - at Kansas by nine and against Missouri by 12 and came back to win both of those contests. The only Big 12 game that Tech has led at the half and won was the double-overtime victory against Kansas State.
Tech Gets Win at Colorado
Texas Tech snapped a six-game losing skid with a 28-point win at Colorado. Sophomore Casey Morris led the way with 19 points - her 14th double-digit scoring output this season. Sophomore Christine Hyde and junior Kierra Mallard added 12 and 11 points, respectively.
Opponent High Turnovers
In the win at Colorado, Tech forced the Buffaloes to commit 28 turnovers, which was an opponent season high. The Lady Raiders converted 32 points off of those 28 turnovers as well.
Fifty Percent from the Field
The Lady Raiders shot 56 percent from the field (28-50) at Colorado, their highest field goal percentage during Big 12 play this year. It was their fifth time to shoot 50 percent or better this season.
Too Many Turnovers
The Lady Raiders had a season-high 27 turnovers at Oklahoma State, which surpassed their previous season high of 25 set at Oklahoma.
Twenty Points for Mallard
Junior Kierra Mallad had her fourth 20-point output as she scored 20 points at Oklahoma State. Sixteen of those 20 points came in the second half.
Brown Back to Double Digits
Sophomore Chynna Brown got back into double-digit scoring as she chipped in 16 points at Oklahoma State. Brown had scored in doubles figures in five-straight games starting with Missouri but only had four points in each of the two games (at Nebraska, Texas) prior to Oklahoma State. She has now scored in double digits eight times this season, all coming in the last 12 games.
Career High for Morris
Sophomore Casey Morris scored a career-high 23 points in the loss to then No. 6/6 Texas A&M. Morris surpassed her previous career high of 20 points, which she set during her freshman year at California.
Morris Back on Track
After not scoring in double figures the first five conference games, sophomore Casey Morris had three-straight double-figure scoring games. To go along with her career-high 23 points against Texas A&M, she had a team-high 13 points against Texas and a team-high 14 points at Nebraska.
Another Double-Digit Effort for Wickett
Senior Teena Wickett picked up her fourth-straight game of double-figure scoring as she finished with 15 points against the Aggies. Wickett has now scored in double-digits in 14 games this season.
Season-High Attendance
Texas Tech recorded its largest crowd of the season with 9,709 fans in attendance in the game against the Aggies.
Season Low Turnovers
Texas Tech committed just seven turnovers in the loss to Texas, which was a season low for the Lady Raiders. Their previous season low was 10 against Samford and UTSA.
Double-Digit Scoring for Brown
Sophomore Chynna Brown chipped in 10 points against Texas giving her five-straight games of double-digit scoring. That streak was halted at Nebraska as she finished with just four points.
Four in Double Figures, Again
Texas Tech again had four players score in double figures, this time against Texas. Sophomore Casey Morris led the way with 13 points followed by junior Kierra Mallard with 12 and senior Teena Wickett and sophomore Chynna Brown both added 10 points.
Another Double-Figure Output for Brown
Sophomore Chynna Brown had her third and fourth-consecutive double-figure scoring games as she poured in 17 points at then No. 14/13 Oklahoma and then had 12 points at No. 1/1 Baylor.
Four in Double Digits at Baylor
The Lady Raiders had four players in double figures at Baylor. Sophomore Christine Hyde came off the bench to score a team-high 14 points, while sophomore Chynna Brown and senior Teena Wickett both had 12 points and junior Mallard finished with 11. Tech's bench scored 26 of its 51 points against the Lady Bears as all 26 points came from Hyde and Brown.
Mallard Seeing Double Again
With 21 points and 12 rebounds, junior Kierra Mallard picked up her seventh double-double of the year at Oklahoma. It was her second-straight as well. She now has 16 career double-doubles.
Brown Hits Game Winner
Sophomore Chynna Brown led Texas Tech in scoring against K-State with 13 points. It marked her fourth double-digit scoring effort this season.
Sixth Double-Double for Mallard
Junior Kierra Mallard registered her sixth double-double of the season as she had 12 points and a season-high 14 rebounds against the Wildcats.
Wickett's First Double-Double at Tech
Senior Teena Wickett also recorded a double-double versus K-State with 11 points and a season-high 13 rebounds. The double-double marked the first as a Lady Raider and the sixth of her career. Wickett had five during her freshman year at Pepperdine. It was also her 10th double-digit scoring game of the year.
Déjà vu
It may have seemed like déjà vu as Texas Tech had to come back from double-digit deficits to win two-straight games by almost the exact same score. Tech was down 15 at Kansas and came back to win 61-57 and then erased a 14-point deficit against Missouri to claim a 63-56 victory.
Career High for Brown
Sophomore Chynna Brown scored a career-high 22 points as she came off the bench and played 28 minutes in the win over Missouri last Wednesday. Brown was 6-for-11 from the field, including 1-for-1 from three-point range, and was a perfect 9-for-9 from the charity stripe. She also tied career highs of eight rebounds and three steals. Brown scored her previous career high of 16 points at Western Kentucky on Dec. 29.
Three-Straight Double-Doubles
Junior Kierra Mallard had her fourth and fifth double-doubles of the year as she had 11 points and 12 rebounds versus Houston Baptist and 15 points and 11 rebounds at Kansas. Mallard registered three-straight double-doubles as she had 11 points and 12 rebounds at Western Kentucky as well. She has scored in double figures in 13 of 16 games this season and has 14 career double-doubles.
Ninth Double-Digit Effort for Wickett
Senior Teena Wickett also finished with a team-high 15 points at Kansas, marking her ninth game of the season of double-figure scoring. The 15 points was her third-highest output of the year.
Career-High Boards
Sophomore Christine Hyde tied her career-high seven rebounds, while freshman Shauntal Nobles collected a career-high six rebounds against Houston Baptist. It marked the third time in Hyde's career for her to register seven boards.
Another Double-Digit Game for Wickett
Senior Teena Wickett chipped in 11 points at Western Kentucky for her eighth double-digit scoring effort, marking her fourth-straight game of scoring in double figures. She also tied her career high of four steals.
Over 50 Percent from the Field
For the fourth time this season, the Lady Raiders shot over 50 percent from the field as they hit 51.9 percent (27-52) of their shots at WKU. Tech's other three games were against Northwestern State (54 percent), a season-high 60.3 percent against Charleston Southern and 50.9 percent versus American.
Big 12 Player of the Week
Senior Teena Wickett was named the Phillips 66 Big 12 Player of the Week after recording game highs of 16 points, eight rebounds, four steals and two assists in Texas Tech's win over California Dec. 20. The four steals tied her career high. Six of her points came from the free throw line where she was a perfect 6-for-6. Wickett saw 33 minutes of action against the Bears.
Shining Stars in Las Vegas
Senior Teena Wickett was named MVP of the Las Vegas Holiday Hoops Classic as she averaged 13.5 points and 7.0 rebounds while shooting 56 percent from the field in Tech's wins over Pittsburgh and California. Sophomores Casey Morris and Chynna Brown were named to the all-tournament team.
Brown Sparks Lady Raiders
Sophomore Chynna Brown was a spark the Lady Raiders needed in the Las Vegas Holiday Hoops Classic. She came off the bench against Pitt and had seven points, six rebounds, two steals and two assists in 20 minutes of play. Brown then had 11 points, six rebounds, two steals and one assist in 26 minutes versus California.
Best Game of Year for Smalls
Sophomore Monique Smalls arguably had her best overall game of the season against California. In 36 minutes of play, the floor general scored a season-high 11 points, grabbed three rebounds and added two assists and two steals.
Nobles Gets First Start
Freshman Shauntal Nobles got her first career start in the victory against California. Nobles got the start at center as junior Kierra Mallard suffered from the stomach flu and played just five minutes versus the Bears.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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 (W, 61-57) was 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 (W2OT, 68-66), at Oklahoma (L, 61-71), Texas A&M (L, 65-79) 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
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
Lady Raider Basketball with Kristy Curry is 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 remaining dates are: February 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.
