Series: Tech leads 5-0
Tech takes weekend trip to The Pit
Saturday the Lady Raiders will travel to Albuquerque, N.M. to play the University of New Mexico. It will be the second Texas Tech vs. New Mexico match up of the day. The Texas Tech men's team will play at 3 p.m. Both games will be televised live in Lubbock on KUPT (channel 22, Cox Cable channel 15).
The Lobos are 7-1 at home with their only loss of the season a 76-77 heartbreaker to Western Kentucky. Abby Garchek leads New Mexico in scoring with 22.1 points per game, while Jennifer Williams is averaging a team high 7.8 rebounds per contest.
Tech leads the overall series 5-0 and 3-0 under Coach Sharp's direction. The last meeting occurred on Dec. 28, 1996 in Lubbock. Tech won the game 66-35 behind the strength of Alicia Thompson, who had 24 points and 16 rebounds.
Probable Starting Lineups
Texas Tech Lady Raiders
No. Name Yr. Pos. Ht. G/GS PPG RPG APG
3 Melinda Schmucker So-1L G 5-9 6/6 3.3 1.8 3.0
23 Julie Lake Jr-2L G 5-9 6/6 12.3 4.7 3.8
33 Rene Hanebutt Jr-2L G 5-8 6/6 11.0 4.5 2.5
43 Alicia Thompson Sr-3L P 6-1 6/6 22.3 6.2 2.6
45 Angie Braziel Jr-Tr P 6-3 6/6 10.5 5.2 1.6(BPG)
University of New Mexico Lobos
No. Name Pos. Ht. Yr. G/GS PPG RPG APG
14 Tamika Stukes G 5-3 Sr 10/10 7.2 4.0 4.1
23 Sonya Bryant G 5-11 So 10/10 11.4 2.7 1.8
24 Abby Garchek F 6-0 Sr 10/10 22.1 4.8 2.2
42 Jennifer Williams F 6-0 Fr 10/10 10.9 7.8 1.1
31 Anita Vuletic C 6-3 Sr 10/5 4.1 4.2 1.3
Texas Tech Reserves
No. Name Yr. Pos. Ht. G/GS PPG RPG APG
10 Kristi Washington Fr-RS G 5-10 3/0 5.7 3.7 0.6
11 Katrisa O'Neal Fr-HS G 5-6 6/0 2.5 2.2 2.8
12 Cara Gibbs Jr-2L P 6-2 6/0 3.8 2.3 0.6
13 Jennifer Cockerell Sr-3L P 6-3 3/0 0.7 0.7 0.3
20 Elesha Walker Sr-3L G 5-6 4/0 0.8 0.5 0.5
24 Crystal Boles Sr-3L P 6-2 6/0 3.0 3.5 2.0(BPG)
25 Keitha Dickerson So-1L F 6-0 5/0 3.4 2.4 0.2
41 Detra Johnson So-1L F 6-1 3/0 6.7 2.0 0.6(BPG)
Lady Raider Head Coach Marsha Sharp
One of the most respected and well-known coaches in Texas Tech history, head coach Marsha Sharp is 355-121 in her 15 years at the helm of the Lady Raiders. She has led the Lady Raiders to eight NCAA Tournament appearances, seven consecutively and five NCAA Sweet 16 appearances in six years, including the NCAA National Championship in 1993. While in the SWC, Coach Sharp and the Lady Raiders never finished below third, they won or shared the last five championships, and they captured three Post Season Classic titles. Sharp captured her 350th career victory during the 1997 NCAA Tournament when on March 16 Tech defeated Montana 47-45 in Palo Alto, Calif.
A 1974 graduate of Wayland Baptist University, Sharp was named National Coach of the Year in 1993 and 1994. She also reaped SWC Coach of the Year honors seven times, five consecutively. During the 1996-97 season, Coach Sharp passed ex-volleyball coach Janice Hudson (333-199-6) to become Texas Tech's second winningest coach. Sharp claimed the title when she recorded her 334th win against North Texas (82-39) on Dec. 2 in Denton.
1997-98 Lady Raider Schedule
Date Opponent Time/Result
UTSA Classic Tournament - San Antonio
Nov. 22 at Texas-San Antonio W, 57-44
Nov. 23 vs. Stephen F. Austin #17 (Fox Sports) W, 93-83 Cancun Tournament - Cancun, Mexico
Nov. 28 St. Francis W, 91-35
Nov. 29 Western Kentucky #22 L, 63-69
Dec. 6 McNeese W, 93-44
Dec. 9 at Texas-El Paso W, 82-48
Dec. 20 at University of New Mexico 8 p.m.
Dec. 29 SMU 7 p.m.
Jan. 1 Old Dominion 2 p.m.
Jan. 4 at Missouri* 2 p.m.
Jan. 7 Baylor* 7 p.m.
Jan. 10 at Texas* 7 p.m.
Jan. 14 Oklahoma State* 7 p.m.
Jan. 17 Colorado*(Fox Sports) 1 p.m.
Jan. 20 at Iowa State* 7 p.m.
Jan. 24 Kansas* 7 p.m.
Jan. 28 at Oklahoma State* 7 p.m.
Big 12/PAC 10 Challenge
Jan. 31 Kansas vs. Arizona (ESPN 2) 3 p.m.
Texas Tech vs. Stanford (ESPN 2) 5:30 p.m.
Feb. 4 Texas*(Fox Sports) 8 p.m.
Feb. 7 at Baylor* 7 p.m.
Feb. 11 Oklahoma* 7 p.m.
Feb. 14 at Texas A&M* (Fox Sports) 1 p.m.
Feb. 19 at Oklahoma* 7 p.m.
Feb. 21 Texas A&M* 2 p.m.
Feb. 25 Nebraska* 7 p.m.
Feb. 28 at Kansas State* (Fox Sports) 1 p.m. March 3-7 Big 12 Basketball Tournament
Municipal Auditorium, Kansas City, Mo.
*Big 12 Game ; All Times Central ; Schedule Subject To Change
1997-98 Big 12 Standings
Overall Big 12
Team W-L Perc.
Missouri 6-1 .857
Kansas 6-1 .857
Texas Tech 5-1 .833
Colorado 5-1 .833
Iowa State 8-2 .800
Kansas State 6-2 .750
Nebraska 9-3 .750
Baylor 5-2 .714
Oklahoma State 3-3 .500
Texas A&M 3-4 .429
Oklahoma 3-4 .429
Texas 2-4 .333
Tech captures 82-48 victory against Texas-El Paso
It was a season high night for junior college transfer Angie Braziel, as she led Tech to a 82-48 thumping of the University of Texas-El Paso. Braziel recorded her first Lady Raider double double as she put in 20 points and grabbed 11 rebounds. Braziel shot .571 from the field and .800 from the bonus line. On the other end of the floor, the JUCO All-American blocked four shots and had one steal.
Three of Tech's other starters also put in double digits. Rene Hanebutt contributed 11, Alicia Thompson put in 16 and Julie Lake added 14.
Lake's Dishes
Junior Julie Lake is accumulating quite a dish collection. Last season, she handed out more assists than any other current Lady Raider. She had a team high 100 for an average of 3.4 assists per game. In her freshman season, Lake set a freshman record for the most assists in a game (nine vs. Illinois State) and most in a season. Her 134 assists during the 1995-96 season bypassed 75 set by Noel Johnson during her first year as a Lady Raider. Lake needs only 28 more assists to move onto Tech's All-time list. When that happens she will bypass Tammy Walker who is 10th with 285.
Boles Block Party Rolls On
Senior Crystal Boles is currently Tech's all-time shot block leader. It happened in Cancun, Mexico against St. Francis University on Nov. 28, 1997. At the 6:23 mark in the first half, Boles collected her 175th blocked shot. That moved her past Carolyn Thompson who recorded 174 during her four year career. But, Boles didn't stop there, she swatted down another shot against Western Kentucky the following evening.
During the 1996-97 season, Boles led the Big 12 Conference in blocks per game during the regular season and conference play. She finished as the number seven shot blocker in the nation.
Thompson for 2,000
Senior All-America candidate Alicia Thompson is one of only six Lady Raiders to have scored 1,500 or more points during their career. But Thompson could elevate her status to one of three if she can put in 2,000 points before the end of the season. She needs only 429 more points to join Michi Atkins (2,134) and Carolyn Thompson (2,655) in the elite group.
Hanebutt, Lake from behind the arc
Junior Rene Hanebutt is not only known for her reckless leaps of abandon that often have her flailing after a loose ball, but also for her very distinctive three-point shot. This season, Hanebutt is making .419 of those attempts, a better percentage than the .388 she is shooting from the field. But, Hanebutt is not alone in that statistical category. Team and classmate Julie Lake is doing the same. Lake is shooting a team high .545 from three-point range and .528 from the field.
Bench help
While four of the Lady Raiders five starters are averaging double digits in scoring, it's nice to know that the Texas Tech bench has some fire power of its own. Sophomore Detra Johnson leads the bench squad with 6.7 points per game. Johnson is shooting a team high .769 from the field. Redshirt freshman Kristi Washington is helping crash the boards. Washington averages 3.7 rebounds per game, while Senior post Crystal Boles has blocked a team high 12 shots this season.
The Lady Raider bench has played 30 percent of the Tech's 1200 minutes this season, while scoring 39 percent of the team's points and grabbing 35 percent of the rebounds.
Torneo Cancun de Basquetbol All-Tournament Team All-America candidate Alicia Thompson and junior Julie Lake were named to the All-Tournament team at the Torneo Cancun de Basquetbol held in Cancun, Mexico over the Thanksgiving holidays. Thompson put in 38 points during the tournament and was the team's leading scorer in both contests. Lake contributed 21 points, nine rebounds and eight assists.
Tech faces SMU after Christmas break
The Lady Raiders will return from the holidays to face SMU on Monday, Dec. 29. Game time is 7 p.m. in the Lubbock Municipal Coliseum. Tech leads the series with a 35-3 overall record. In the last meeting between the two teams, Tech took home a 78-69 victory. Alicia Thompson had a game high 30 points and 16 rebounds at Moody Coliseum on Dec. 21, 1996.
Tech hosts Big 12/PAC 10 Challenge
In January, Texas Tech will take a break from conference play to host the 1998 Big 12/PAC 10 Challenge on Saturday, Jan. 31 in the Lubbock Municipal Coliseum. Conference foe Kansas will come to Lubbock along with PAC 10 schools Arizona and Stanford. The first game of the double bill will feature the Jayhawks and the Wildcats squaring off at 3 p.m. Tech will play Stanford at 5:30 p.m. Both games will be televised on ESPN2.
Home Sweet Home One More Time
The Lubbock Municipal Coliseum is entering its final full season as the home of Lady Raider basketball. The Lady Raiders are currently scheduled to begin action in the United Spirit Arena in January 1999. Until then Texas Tech can count on the majestic old building to provide the Lady Raiders with a decisive home court advantage.
The Lady Raiders have currently won 91 of their last 95 games in the friendly confines, a winning percentage of .957. The Lady Raiders have managed a 164-25 mark under head coach Marsha Sharp and a 95-7 record in the last six seasons in the Coliseum.
Thompson, Hanebutt Back Again
Senior all-America candidate Alicia Thompson and junior Rene Hanebutt will return to the floor this season. That is good news for scoreboard operators, because last season both Lady Raiders averaged in double digits. The two combined talents for 1,105 points. That total was 54.6 percent of the total points scored by the Lady Raiders in 1996-97. Out of Tech's 29 games last season, Thompson was the leading scorer 24 times, while Hanebutt led the team three times.
A Knee, an Ankle and Lots of Hard Work
Senior Crystal Boles suffered a tear in her anterior cruciate ligament in the first 63 second of Tech's game against Kansas State during the Big 12 Tournament. She had knee surgery on March 20. Three weeks later, she underwent ankle surgery to remove a piece of bone that was lodged between two ligaments. However, Boles returned to the floor in an exhibition game against the Houston Jaguars. In just eight minutes of play, Boles put in 12 points. The only remnants of her summer of hard work, dedication and high pain tolerance are braces worn on her knee and ankle.
Tough Competition
The Lady Raiders have been picked as a Top Ten team in virtually every pre-season poll. But as Head Coach Marsha Sharp has said, "Potential's not worth very much until you get on the floor and prove it." Tech will have quite an opportunity to prove their potential. In non-conference play alone, Tech will face two NCAA Final Four teams in Old Dominion and Stanford. They will also tackle tough competition from Stephen F. Austin, Western Kentucky, St. Francis and SMU. That along with road trips to Texas-El Paso and the University of New Mexico. But it doesn't get any easier as the Lady Raiders head into Big 12 play. Half of the conference's 12 teams were in the NCAA tournament last season. Sharp knows what lays in wait for her team. "I don't think there is any question how tough our schedule is. It may be the toughest non-conference schedule we've ever played at Texas Tech."
Cosby undergoes surgery
Junior transfer Kyna Cosby underwent successful surgery on Tuesday, Dec. 9 to repair a cut tendon on her right pinky finger. She is currently undergoing rehabilitation.
Cosby had played in three games for the Lady Raiders this season. She averaged 2.3 points and 0.7 rebounds per game. The Junior College All-America from Howard College had played 28 minutes this year.
Current Streaks
* Alicia Thompson has scored in double digits in 44 consecutive games. * Alicia Thompson has started in 67 and played in 70 consecutive games. * Alicia Thompson has scored in 70 consecutive games. * Rene Hanebutt has started in 39 and played in 47 consecutive games.
Lady Raiders' Record When...
Ahead at half 4-0
Tied at half 1-0
Behind at half 0-1
Shoot 50% or better 3-0
Shoot less than 50% 2-1
Shoot 70% or better FT 1-0
Shoot less than 70% FT 4-1
Outrebound opponents 4-0
Outrebounded by opponents 1-1
Commit fewer turnovers 4-1
Commit more turnovers -
Commit same turnovers 1-0
Games decided by 5 pts. or less -
Games decided by 6-10 pts. 1-1
Games decided by 11-20 pts. 1-0
Games decided by 21+ pts. 3-0
Televised games 1-0
Ranked teams 1-1
vs. Southland 3-0
vs. ECAC Northeast 1-0
vs. Sun Belt 0-1
vs. WAC 1-0
vs. Colonial -
vs. Pac-10 -
Lady Raiders by the Numbers
All Games 5-1
Home Games 1-0
Away Games 2-0
Neutral Games 2-1
Big 12 Games -
Big 12 Home Game -
Big 12 Away Games -
Night Games 3-1
Day Games 2-0
November Games 3-1
December Games 2-0
Friday Games 1-0
Saturday Games 2-1
Sunday Games 1-0
Tuesday Games 1-0
More Numbers
Largest lead at anytime 56, vs. St. Francis (11-28)
Largest point run 16, vs. McNeese (12-6)
Largest deficit overcome in a win 6, vs. SFA (11-23)
Largest deficit at anytime 11, vs. WKU (11-29)
Most scored in 1st half 49, vs. St. Francis (11-28)
Most scored in 2nd half 58, vs. SFA (11-23)
Least scored in 1st half 26, vs. UTSA & WKU
Least scored in 2nd half 31, vs. UTSA (11-22)
Game-by-Game Starters
UTSA, SFA, St. Francis, Western Kentucky, McNeese State, UTEP
Schmucker, Lake, Hanebutt, Thompson, Braziel
Team Season Highs
Texas Tech Category Opponents
93, vs. SFA & McNeese Points 83, SFA
50, vs. McNeese Rebounds 49, UTSA
38, vs. St. Francis FG Made 29, SFA
72, vs. St. Francis FG Attempts 65, SFA
.545, vs. McNeese FG% .538, WKU
10, vs. SFA 3FG Made 5, SFA
21, vs. SFA 3FG Attempts 17, WKU
.556, vs. UTEP 3FG% .333, SFA
19, vs. UTEP FT Made 20, SFA
31, vs. UTSA FT Attempts 33, SFA
.760, vs. UTEP FT% .606, SFA
12, vs. McNeese Fewest Fouls 12, St. Francis
20, vs. SFA Most Fouls 25, SFA
31, vs. McNeese Assists 19, WKU
12, vs. St. Francis Steals 12, St. Francis
9, vs. UTEP Blocks 7,UTEP
17, vs. SFA Turnovers 23, UTEP
10, vs. McNeese Least Turnovers 15, SFA
49 vs. St. Francis Most 1st Half Pts. 33, WKU
26, twice Fewest 1st Half Pts. 14, UTSA
58, vs. SFA Most 2nd Half Pts. 48, SFA
31, vs. UTSA Fewest 2nd Half Pts. 19, St. Francis
Lady Raider Season Highs
Points: 32, Thompson vs. SFA (11-23)
Rebounds: 11, Thompson & Braziel
FG Made: 12, Thompson vs. SFA (11-23)
FG Attempts: 20, Thompson vs. UTSA (11-22)
3FG Made: 5, Hanebutt vs. SFA (11-23)
3FG Attempts: 11, Hanebutt vs. SFA (11-23)
FT Made: 8, Thompson vs. SFA (11-23)
FT Attempts: 12, Thompson vs. SFA (11-23)
Assists: 8, Lake vs. SFA (11-23)
8, O'Neal vs. McNeese (12-6)
Steals: 4, O'Neal vs. SFA (11-23)
Blocks: 4, Braziel vs. UTEP (12-9)
Opponents Individual Highs
Points: 28, Katrina Price, SFA
Rebounds: 13, Christie Smith, SFA
FG Made: 9, Katrina Price, SFA
3FG Made: 2, four times
FT Made: 8, Katrina Price, SFA
Assists: 6, Tameka Roberts, UTSA
Steals: 5, A Edwards, St. Francis
Blocks: 2, Kiana Taylor, UTEP
