Texas Tech University Athletics
More Than Just a Game
February 20, 2015 | Women's Basketball
Saturday is more than just a game for Kelsi Baker and the Lady Raiders.
Feb. 20, 2015
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LUBBOCK, Texas -- Saturday isn't just any normal game by any means for Kelsi Baker.
The fifth-year senior understands the importance of not only playing a home game against rival Texas, but also because of what else this game is tied to.
Saturday's 3:30 p.m. game between Texas Tech and No. 25 Texas is the annual Play 4 Kay Pink Game at United Supermarkets Arena. A game that helps bring awareness each season to breast cancer and raise money for the Kay Yow Cancer Fund.
The Kay Yow Foundation was started in honor of former N.C. State head coach Kay Yow who passed away in 2009 after a 22-year bout with breast cancer. To date, the Kay Yow Cancer Fund has raised more than $3.9 million in support of women's breast cancer research.
Much like the hundreds of special attendees on Saturday, Kelsi's mom, Valerie, is a breast cancer survivor. When Tech announces its starting lineup, each starter will be introduced alongside a survivor at halfcourt. And for the first time in five years of pink games, Baker will be introduced as a starter alongside her mom.
"It's a great game," Baker said. "I love the whole concept of Play 4 Kay and the things that they are doing for their organization. Breast cancer affects a lot of different people in a lot of different realms and walks in life. And, as basketball players, for us to be able to go out there and play for a cause bigger than ourselves and basically the university is something special and I just love this game every year."
Tech (15-11, 5-9 Big 12) will wear a new set of pink uniforms on Saturday designed by Under Armour specifically for Texas Tech and the Play 4 Kay game. This will be the fifth consecutive season Tech has worn a special uniform in its Play 4 Kay game. The Lady Raiders boast a 3-1 record when donning the pink colors - including a 56-45 win over then-No. 1 Baylor in 2011.
The Lady Raiders nearly won another game against the No. 3 Lady Bears on Wednesday, falling 67-60 in the final minute. Tech tied a season-high with 11, 3-pointers made with Amber Battle and Ivonne CookTaylor dropping in three apiece. CookTaylor finished with a game-high 17 points while Battle ended with 16. She now has 971 career points heading into Saturday's contest.
"I think we've proven that we can hang with any team in the country," Battle said. "But now we just need to keep up that same intensity that we've playing with lately."
That intensity has led to a pair of wins in Tech's last three games with four remaining on the schedule.
Combine Tech's 3-1 record in pink with the fact that Tech is 7-3 against Texas the last 10 times the two teams have met at the USA, and the Lady Raiders have to like their chances. Saturday could not only be a day about raising money for a worthy cause, but also beginning the final stages of a march toward the postseason.
"I think its there," Tech head coach Candi Whitaker said. "If we can take care of business and continue to add wins to that column, I think we are giving ourselves chances to go and play in the postseason."
GAME 27: TEXAS TECH vs No. 25 Texas
When: 3:30 p.m. CT - Saturday, Feb. 21, 2015
Where: United Supermarkets Arena (15,098) - Lubbock, Texas
Who: Texas Tech (15-11, 5-9), No. 25 Texas (17-8, 6-8)
Series: 94th Meeting (Texas leads 66-27)
Last Meeting: Texas 55, Texas Tech 44 - Jan. 17 - Austin, Texas
Radio: Texas Tech Sports Network - 97.3 FM Lubbock
Talent: Ryan Hyatt (Play-by-Play), Chuck Heinz (Color)
TV: FOX Sports Southwest
Talent: Robert Giovannetti (Play-by-Play), Andy Penney (Color), Courtney Davis (Reporter)
INSIDE THE TEXAS SERIES
Texas Tech and Texas are meeting for the 94th time overall in the series, dating back to 1977. Texas leads the overall series 66-27. The two teams have split the last eight meetings.
HONORING SURVIVORS
Texas Tech wishes to express its gratitude toward all the breast cancer survivors, their families and friends who support them for their attendance today and continued bravery for the fight against this disease. Survivors will be honored throughout the game in several ways, including Tech's annual Pink Treadmill fundraiser, balloon release and check presentation at halftime.
LINEUP CHANGE
Texas Tech used its fifth different starting lineup for the second time this season on Wednesday against Baylor. It's the first time in three games Tech has gone with the same starting five. Rayven Brooks remains as the only Tech player to start all 26 games this season.
BOWSER CAREER HIGH
Junior transfer Ryann Bowser scored eight points on 3 of 3 shooting from the field - including 2 of 2 behind the arc - on Wednesday against Baylor.
DOUBLE DIGITS
Texas Tech senior Amber Battle scored her 18th game this season in double digits with 16 points on Wednesday while redshirt sophomore Ivonne CookTaylor scored her seventh game in double figures with a game-high 17 points against Baylor. CookTaylor is averaging 14.8 points in five consecutive starts.
STEALS HIGH
Texas Tech redshirt sophomore Ivonne CookTaylor tallied a career-high six steals against Baylor. That beat her previous high of five steals against Kansas State on Jan. 31.
COUNTDOWN TO 1K
Texas Tech senior Amber Battle now sits at 971 career points after scoring 16 on Wednesday against Baylor. She is trying to become the 31st Lady Raider to score 1,000 career points and the first since Chynna Brown and Casey Morris did so in 2013.
