Texas Tech Athletics
North Dakota
Lady Raiders Host North Dakota in Season Opener
November 08, 2016 | Women's Basketball
Texas Tech has won 10 straight home openers
LUBBOCK, Texas – Texas Tech Lady Raider Basketball open the 2016-17 regular season as they host North Dakota on Sunday at 2 p.m. at the United Supermarkets Arena.
The Lady Raiders have won 10 straight home openers dating back to the 2005-06 season.
Texas Tech began its fourth season under Head Coach Candi Whitaker with an exhibition game against Midwestern State. The Lady Raiders defeated the Mustangs, 121-56, marking the most points scored in a game since the 113-51 win over Southeastern Louisiana last season.
North Dakota enters the game after winning their exhibition game against Minnesota Crookston, 83-48, last Sunday. The Fighting Hawks begin regular season play on Friday against Drake before arriving in the South Plains.
Sunday's game will be televised on FOX Sports Southwest Plus with Robert Giovannetti and Brenda VanLengen announcing. The contest will air on Texas Tech Sports Network (107.7) with Mark Finkner and Chuck Heinz calling the action.
It is Military Appreciation Day during Sunday's game. Any active duty or retired military personnel can show their military ID on gameday for free admission. Family and friends accompanying them will receive the group rate of $3 per ticket.
Tickets are available for $8 online at TexasTech.com/Tickets, in person at the Texas Tech Athletics Ticket Office now located on the East Side of Jones AT&T Stadium or via the phone at (806) 742-8324.
As a reminder, the new clear bag policy is in effect for all Lady Raider Basketball games for the 2016-17 season. For more information on the clear bag policy, Click Here.
QUICK HITS
- Texas Tech opens the 2016-17 regular season against North Dakota on Sunday at 2 p.m.
- The Lady Raiders are 21-2 when opening the season at home. Texas Tech has won 10 straight home openers dating back to the 2005-06 season.
- Sunday's game will mark the second meeting between the Lady Raiders and the Fighting Hawks. The two programs previously met on Dec. 28, 2009 when the Lady Raiders defeated North Dakota, 81-61, during the Tulane DoubleTree Classic in New Orleans, La.
- North Dakota won its first exhibition game against Minnesota Crookston, 83-48, on Sunday. The Hawks opened the regular season by hosting Drake on Friday.
- The Lady Raiders return six letterwinners including senior Ivonne CookTaylor and sophomore Japreece Dean. CookTaylor was the Lady Raiders leading scorer, averaging 14.3 points per game. She was named All-Big 12 Honorable Mention. Dean was the Lady Raiders' top free-throw shooter, posting a .806 average as the starting point guard. She was named to the Big 12 All-Freshman Team.
- Texas Tech was picked to finish seventh in the Big 12 preseason poll. This marked the highest Big 12 preseason ranking for the Lady Raiders under Head Coach Candi Whitaker.
- Recee' Caldwell, Jada Terry and Larryn Brooks join the Lady Raiders on the court after sitting out the 2015-16 season due to NCAA Transfer rules. Caldwell came to Lubbock from UCLA where she averaged 6.9 points per game as a freshman. She was a top 10 recruit in the nation. Terry transferred to Tech after two years at Texas A&M. Not only is she talented, her 6-foot-4 stature will help the Lady Raiders at the basket. Brooks transferred from Indiana where she was the leading scorer in her first two seasons. She adds depth to the Lady Raiders guard corp.
- The Lady Raiders also welcomed three freshmen to the 2016-17 squad. Guard Arella Guirantes and forward Brittany Brewer were ranked in the Top 50 in the 2016 class while guard Grayson Bright was in the Top 75. All three will make an immediate impact on the team this season.
- Texas Tech traveled to Colorado Springs, Colo., last weekend to scrimmage Oregon State at the United States Olympic Training Center.
UP NEXT
The Lady Raiders will face No. 23 Texas A&M in their first road contest of the season on Thursday, Nov. 17 in College Station. Tip is set for 7 p.m. and the game will be televised on SEC Network Plus.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.
