Texas Tech University Athletics
Texas Tech Athletics
Santa Clara
Lady Raiders' Late Rally Falls Short Against Santa Clara
December 12, 2015 | Women's Basketball
Ivonne CookTaylor led the Lady Raiders with 15 points.
Dec. 12, 2015
SANTA CLARA, Calif. -- The Texas Tech Lady Raiders made run after run late against Santa Clara, but just couldn't get over the hump, falling 75-70 to the Broncos on Saturday, in Santa Clara, Calif.In the matchup between top-60 RPI teams, Texas Tech (6-2) struggled against the length of Santa Clara's zone in the first quarter, shooting just 5-18 and turning the ball over five times en route to a 22-13 deficit. Santa Clara (8-2) had a 22-10 lead, Tech's biggest deficit of the season, but Ryann Bowser drained a long three as time expired to cut the lead to 13.
The teams traded scores for the first portion of the second quarter before Tech went on a 6-0 spurt to close the Bronco lead to 32-26. At halftime, Tech trailed Santa Clara by seven, at 35-28. It marked the first time this season the Lady Raiders trailed after the first two frames.
The Lady Raiders started the second half with an 8-2 run, provided by the California natives. Rayven Brooks hit a pair of threes and Ivonne CookTaylor hit a jumper to bring the Santa Clara lead down to 37-36. However, Santa Clara responded with an 8-0 run to take a 45-36 lead. The Broncos led 53-45 after three quarters.
In the fourth, every time Texas Tech grabbed any momentum, Santa Clara responded, usually by getting to the free throw line. The Broncos went 23-32 from the charity stripe, compared to 7-13 for the Lady Raiders. Santa Clara went 12-18 from the free throw line in the fourth quarter alone.
Tech forced a couple turnovers late in the game and cut the lead from 70-59 to 70-65 with a minute to go, and forced a Santa Clara miss with 30 seconds left, but the Broncos got their own rebound and iced the game at the free throw line. Rebounds were a major difference as the Broncos grabbed 45 rebounds compared to just 30 for the Lady Raiders. It was the first time this season Texas Tech failed to record at least 40 rebounds.
Santa Clara was the first Tech opponent this season to eclipse 40 percent shooting from the field, going 23-53 (43.4%). The Broncos also went 6-10 from three-point range, a season high percentage allowed by the Lady Raiders. Tech shot 27-66 (40.9%) from the field and 9-21 (42.9%) from long range.
Leading the way for Texas Tech was Ivonne CookTaylor, who scored 15 points and had four assists.
In her first action as a Lady Raider, Brielle Blaire was a sparkplug for the Lady Raiders, scoring 10 points, grabbing six rebounds and snagging three steals. Japreece Dean had 11 points and Leashja Grant added 10 points.
Santa Clara had three players score at least 15 points, led by Lori Parkinson, who had 20. Parkinson went 6-15 from the field, but hit eight of her 12 free throws.
The Lady Raiders will now return home for a matchup with Incarnate Word on Monday, Dec. 14. Tipoff at United Supermarkets Arena is scheduled for 6:30 p.m.
Visit www.TexasTech.com for the latest news and information on the women's basketball program. Fans also can follow the program on its social media outlets at www.Facebook.com/LadyRaiderWBB and @LadyRaiderWBB on Twitter.
