Texas Tech University Athletics
Lady Raiders Set to Host Texas State
November 17, 2014 | Women's Basketball
Texas Tech freshman Dayo Olabode notched a double-double in her first game on Friday.
Nov. 17, 2014
LUBBOCK, Texas - Texas Tech's game on Tuesday against Texas State is more than just another game on the schedule.
It's a chance to get its second win of the season and get better as the team inches closer to Big 12 Conference play in January. Or as Tech head coach Candi Whitaker put it - be exposed by another non-conference opponent.
"I think all of them will give us great looks and put us in situations that we are going to have to defend or score or whatever it may be," Whitaker said. "But that's what you want out of your preseason games is be exposed and get better at those things with each and every game so that you're ready to go once Big 12 starts."
Tech (1-0) will take on Texas State (1-0) at 7 p.m. Tuesday at United Supermarkets Arena in its second game of the 2014-15 season. The game will air on FOX Sports Southwest Plus (Uverse 754 & 1754 HD; Suddenlink 81 & 281 HD).
The Lady Raiders held off Jacksonville State on Friday night in the season and home opener, 67-59, thanks in part to its play down low from senior Kelsi Baker and freshman Dayo Olabode. The two combined for 32 of Tech's 67 points. Baker scored 18 in her first game back since an Achilles injury last summer while Olabode became the first Lady Raider since at least 1996 to post a double-double in her freshman debut.
"Obviously we're excited to get the win," Whitaker said. "I think we did a lot of good execution-wise on offense but need to finish lay-ups and make some more free throws and we can put up a lot more points doing those two things. But pleased with what I saw but a lot that can get corrected."
Tech was 24 of 53 from the floor (45.3 percent) but outrebounded by four - something Whitaker and the group has worked on the last couple of days before a much bigger Texas State team arrives Tuesday.
That includes the post combo of Erin Peoples and Jacqueline Jeffcoat. Both players notched double-doubles in the Bobcats opening win over Texas A&M-International and will try to give the Lady Raiders plenty of trouble in the paint - an area Tech dominated on Friday.
"They've got great size inside and do a great job of getting on the glass and we'll have to be much better about being on the offensive boards and not letting them rebound it," she said. "They have some definite shooters and some kids that can make plays. So we'll have to do a great job all around defensively and being very solid and making them hit shots over us and not giving them anything easy."
GAME 2: TEXAS STATE AT TEXAS TECH
7 p.m. CT - Tuesday, Nov. 18, 2014
United Supermarkets Arena
Texas Tech (1-0), Texas State (1-0)
13th Meeting (Tech Leads 12-0)
Radio: Texas Tech Sports Network - 97.3 FM Lubbock (Ryan Hyatt and Chuck Heinz)
TV: FOX Sports Southwest Plus (Robert Giovannetti, Andy Penney, Courtney Davis)
PROJECTED STARTING LINEUP (CAREER STARTS)
G- Minta Spears (31 Starts); G-Jamie Roe (1 Start); G-Rayven Brooks (1 Start); F-Kelsi Baker (49 Starts); F-Dayo Olabode (1 Start)
INSIDE THE TEXAS STATE SERIES
Texas Tech and Texas State are meeting for the 13th time in the series between the two. The Lady Raiders have won all 12 meetings prior to Tuesday. The last was an 83-43 Tech win in Lubbock on Dec. 10, 2010.
BAKER'S RETURN
Texas Tech senior Kelsi Baker tied a career high with 18 points and added five rebounds in Tech's home opener on Friday. It's Baker's first game back since March 23, 2013 when Tech opened the NCAA Tournament against South Florida. She's scored in double figures in five of her last six games played dating back to Feb. 27, 2013.
STREAK SNAPPED
Texas Tech snapped a 20-game losing streak dating back to Dec. 21 last season.
OLABODE DOUBLE-DOUBLE
Texas Tech freshman Dayo Olabode scored 14 points and had 10 rebounds in her very first collegiate game while earning her first start as well. It's the most points by a Tech freshman in her first possible college game since Kierra Mallard poured in 16 against Idaho on Nov. 14, 2008 - exactly six years ago to the day.
BROOKS GETS FIRST POINTS
Texas Tech junior transfer Rayven Brooks scored her first points of her Tech career with a 3-pointer at the 18:36 mark in the first half. It's her first points since scoring three for Chipola College in the NJCAA Tournament on March 21, 2013. She ended the game with six points and three steals.
FRESH FACES
Seven Lady Raiders picked up their first minutes at Texas Tech on Friday night -- Dayo Olabode, Rayven Brooks, Jamie Roe, Ryann Bowser, Paige Parliament, Ionna McKenzie and Jocelyn Mousty.
