Feb. 10, 2000

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LUBBOCK, Tex. - No. 7/9 Texas Tech will host Texas A&M on Saturday, Feb. 12 at 3 p.m. at the United Spirit Arena. The game will be televised by FOX Sports Net. It will be the 49th meeting between the two schools.

The Lady Raiders
Texas Tech owns an 18-3 mark and 7-3 in Big 12 play. Senior Aleah Johnson leads the Lady Raiders in scoring with a 14.9 average followed by freshman Plenette Pierson at 13.3, senior Keitha Dickerson at 11.9 and junior Katrisa O'Neal at 11.4. Dickerson is Tech's top rebounder as she is averaging 10.2 boards per outing, which is first in the Big 12. Senior Melinda Schmucker-Pharies has a team-high 115 assists, while Pierson owns a team-best 14 blocks and O'Neal has 75 steals.

The Lady Raiders are shooting 43.3 percent from the field, 29.4 percent from the three-point arc and 59.1 percent from the charity stripe.

Scouting the Opponent
Texas A&M enters the game with a 10-10 mark and 2-8 in Big 12 play after beating Baylor, 76-65, last Wednesday. In that game, senior Prissy Sharpe had a team-high 24 points followed by junior Jaynetta Saunders with 17 and sophomore LaToya Rose with 13. Sharpe also had a game-high nine rebounds, while Saunders led the Aggies in assists with six. The Aggies shot 50.9 percent (28-55) from the field, 33.3 percent (3-9) from the three-point arc and 81 percent (17-21) from the free throw line.

On the year, Saunders paces Texas A&M in scoring with a 15.1 average followed by Sharpe at 13.5, senior Kera Alexander at 11.2 and junior Brandy Jones at 10.3. Sharpe is the top rebounder, grabbing 8.7 boards per outing. Junior Tina Jones has a team-high 93 assists, while Saunders has team highs of 43 blocks and 46 steals.

The Aggies are shooting 43.5 percent from the field, 24.9 percent from three-point range and 68.9 percent from the charity stripe.

Peggie Gillom is in her second season at the helm of the Aggies, establishing a record of 17-30.

Series Record
It is the 49th meeting between Texas Tech and Texas A&M with the Lady Raiders holding a 40-8 advantage and a 32-4 mark in the Marsha Sharp era. Tech won the first meeting this year, 71-49, Jan. 29 in College Station, Texas. The last time the Aggies won was in the SWC Tournament in 1996, in a 72-68 triumph in Dallas, Texas.

Last Time vs. Texas A&M
January 29, 2000 - College Station, Texas - Senior Keitha Dickerson had 18 points as No. 10/14 Texas Tech beat Texas A&M 71-49.

Texas Tech led 36-17 at halftime after holding Texas A&M scoreless for nearly eight minutes. The loss was the Aggies seventh in a row after opening conference play with a win.

Senior Aleah Johnson had 13 points and senior Melinda Schmucker-Pharies had a season-high 13 assists for Texas Tech.

Kera Alexander and Jaynetta led Texas A&M with 12 points each.

Texas A&M Aggies (10-10/2-8 Big 12) vs.
#7/9 Texas Tech Lady Raiders (18-3/7-3 Big 12)
February 12, 2000 - Lubbock, Texas. - 3 p.m.
United Spirit Arena (15,050)

Probable Starters

Top Reserves

Texas A&M Aggies
Head Coach: Peggie Gillom (17-30, third season)

A Look Back
Last Tuesday, Missouri pulled out a 52-49 upset over No. 9 Texas Tech to give the Lady Raiders their third loss this season, which was also their third loss in the Big 12.

Missouri's Natalie Bright hit a jumper with 29 seconds left and then stole the ball on Tech's next possession to give the Tigers their first win ever over Texas Tech.

Missouri won in spite of a season high in turnovers, a season low in points, and a technical foul on the bench after Missouri picked up five fouls in the game's first seven minutes.

The game was close throughout the second half with Tech leading with one minute left. Then Tech was called for a backcourt violation and Bright scored on the next possession. Tech's last-second 3-point attempt by sophomore Amber Tarr was long.

Senior Aleah Johnson led Tech with 17 points, while senior Keitha Dickerson had 15 points and 12 rebounds for her 10th double-double of the season.

Lady Raider Head Coach Marsha Sharp
One of the most respected and well-known coaches in Texas Tech history, head coach Marsha Sharp is 424-132 in her 18th year at the helm of the Lady Raiders. The 1999 Big 12 Coach of the Year, for the second consecutive year, has led the Lady Raiders to 12 NCAA Tournament appearances, including 10 consecutive, and five NCAA Sweet 16 appearances and 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 claimed her 400th career victory last season in the 83-71 win at Colorado on Feb. 24, 1999.

A 1974 graduate of Wayland Baptist University, Sharp was named the National Coach of the Year in 1993 and 1994. She also reaped SWC Coach of the Year honors seven times, five consecutively.

NCAA Stats
As of games through Feb. 7, Texas Tech leads the nation in scoring defense at 52.2. Tech is also sixthth in won-lost percentage (.900) and 14th in scoring margin (16.3)

Junior Katrisa O'Neal is 13th in steals with a 3.6 average and senior Keitha Dickerson ranks 22nd in rebounding with a 10.1 average.

27 Straight Big 12 Wins at Home
Texas Tech currently holds a 27-game winning streak for Big 12 home games. The Lady Raiders hold a 27-1 record in Big 12 games played in Lubbock. The last time and the only Big 12 home loss came against Oklahoma State in a 78-56 loss Jan. 8, 1997.

10th Double-Double for Dickerson
Senior Keitha Dickerson recorded her 10th double-double of the season at Missouri Feb. 8 as she scored 15 points and grabbed 12 rebounds in the Lady Raiders' 52-49 loss in Columbia, Mo.

Season Low for Lady Raiders
Texas Tech shot just 38.1 percent from the free throw line in the loss at Missouri Feb. 8. It was the lowest free throw percentage of the year as Tech was 8-for-21 from the charity stripe and did not shoot a free throw in the second half. Also, Tech's 33.9 percent from the field was the second lowest on the year. The Lady Raiders only shot 23.8 percent at Iowa State Jan. 2.

O'Neal Grabs Season High
Junior Katrisa O'Neal grabbed a season-high seven rebounds, just one shy of matching her career high of eight, in the Lady Raiders' win at Baylor Feb. 5. Her career high of eight came last year vs. Oklahoma Jan. 6.

Pierson Steals a Career High
Freshman Plenette Pierson tallied a career-high five steals in the victory at Baylor Feb. 5. Her previous career high was three, which she had done twice.

Dickerson Gets Ninth Double-Double
Senior Keitha Dickerson recorded her ninth double-double of the season with 10 points and 14 rebounds against Texas Feb. 3. Dickerson currently leads the Big 12 in double-doubles.

Ellison Grabs Career High
Sophomore Tanisha Ellison grabbed a career-high eight rebounds in 16 minutes of action against Texas Feb. 3. Her previous high was six, which she had earlier this season vs. Southwest Texas State Nov. 26.

Season Highs for Schmucker-Pharies
Senior Melinda Schmucker-Pharies scored 13 points and hit three three-point baskets vs. Texas Feb. 3. Both matched her season highs.

Schmucker-Pharies Dishes Out Season High
Senior Melinda Schmucker-Pharies dished out a season-high 13 assists at Texas A&M Jan. 29, just four shy of the school record of 17 which she set back in the 1998 NCAA Tournament vs. Grambling.

Johnson Gets Career High in Assists
Senior Aleah Johnson finished with a career-high five assists in the Lady Raiders' win at Texas A&M. Her previous career high was four against Stanford during the 1998-99 season.

Ellison Swats Aggies and Longhorns
Sophomore Tanisha Ellison swatted a game-high three shots at Texas A&M Jan. 29 in just 18 minutes of play and three blocks vs. Texas Feb. 3 in 16 minutes of action. The three blocks matched her career high, which she set last year vs. Texas-San Antonio.

Tarr Productive Off the Bench
Sophomore Amber Tarr came off the bench to score 10 points in 25 minutes of action at Texas A&M Jan. 29. She was 3-for-8 from the field and 2-for-5 from three-point range, while sinking two of four free throw attempts.

Looking to Move Up
Senior Melinda Schmucker-Pharies needs 22 assists to tie Krista Kirkland (89-93) for first on Tech's all-time career list for assists at 553, while junior Katrisa O'Neal needs 24 steals to tie Noel Johnson (91-95) for second on the Lady Raiders' all-time career list for steals at 264.

Pierson Gets Fourth Double-Double
Freshman Plenette Pierson recorded her fourth double-double of the season as she scored 17 points and grabbed a career-high 11 rebounds in the win over Kansas Jan. 22.

Season Low TOs
Texas Tech's nine turnovers against Colorado Jan. 12 was a season low. The school record for fewest turnovers in a game is five, set back on Jan. 31, 1983 against Texas A&M.

Home Court Streak
The Lady Raiders currently hold a 24-home game winning streak. Tech's streak ranks them tied for fourth among NCAA Division I home-court winning streaks. Grambling currently has the number one streak at 61 games.

A Look Ahead
Texas Tech will return to the United Spirit Arena for two more home games on Feb. 16 vs. Nebraska at 7 p.m. and Feb. 19 vs. Oklahoma at 1 p.m. The Oklahoma game will be televised on espn2.

Lady Raiders in the Polls
Since January 20, 1992, the Lady Raiders have been ranked in the Top 25 in the Associated Press poll and/or the USA Today/ESPN poll, a total of 148 weeks. That includes this week's rankings of seventh in the USA Today/ESPN and ninth by the AP.

Upcoming Big 12 TV Schedule

Did you know that...

there is a brother and sister who play Division I basketball and both play for teams that are ranked in the top 10. That's right, Lady Raider freshman Courtney Pastner and Arizona's senior guard Josh Pastner are brother and sister.

1999-2000 LADY RAIDER BASKETBALL MISCELLANEOUS STATISTICS

Starting Lineups
1) Johnson, Dickerson, Pierson, Schmucker-Pharies, O'Neal: 18-3

Double-Figure Scoring Games: Johnson 17, Dickerson 16, Pierson 15, O'Neal 13, Schmucker-Pharies 5, Ellison 3, Tarr 2, Nagle 1

Double-Figure Rebounding Games: Dickerson 12, Pierson 4, Johnson 1

Games Leading Tech in Scoring: Johnson 8, Pierson 6, O'Neal 5, Dickerson 2

Games Leading Tech in Rebounding: Dickerson 15, Pierson 3, Johnson 1

Games Leading Tech in Assists: Schmucker-Pharies 14, O'Neal 5, Dickerson 4, Johnson 2, Tarr 1

TECH FREE THROW SHOOTING IN FINAL 2 MINUTES

Player	FT-FTA	PCT.
Dickerson	8-10	.800
Ellison	3-4	.500
Hendrix	2-2	1.000
Johnson	4-4	1.000
Nagle	0-3	.000
O'Neal	5-8	.625
Pastner	2-4	.500
Pierson	9-16	.563
Schmucker-Pharies	5-10	.500
Tarr	2-2	1.000
TECH TOTALS	40-63	.635

TECH RECORD WHEN

	Overall		Home		Away
Ahead at halftime:	15-1		9-0		6-1
Behind at halftime:	3-2		1-0		2-2
Tied at halftime:	0-0		0-0		0-0
Bench outscores opponents:	8-0		5-0		3-0
Shooting 50 percent or better:	5-1		3-0		2-1
Shooting under 50 percent:	13-2		7-0		6-2
Outshooting opponents:	15-0		8-0		7-0
Outrebounding opponents:	13-1		7-0		6-1
Outrebounded by opponents:	5-2		3-0		2-2
Fewer turnovers than opponents:	16-3		10-0		6-3
More turnovers than opponents:	2-0		0-0		2-0
Overtime:	1-0		0-0		1-0

Longest winning streak:	10	Sundays: 1-1	Wednesdays: 5-0
Longest losing streak:	1	Mondays: 1-0	Thursdays: 1-0
Current streak:	1 loss	Tuesdays: 2-1	Fridays: 2-0	Saturdays: 6-1

Big12 Standings
(as of games through Feb. 10)

		Big 12	Overall
	Oklahoma	9-1	19-4
	Iowa State	9-1	18-3
	Kansas	7-2	16-5
	Texas Tech	7-3	18-3
	Texas	6-3	15-7
	Missouri	5-5	15-6
	Nebraska	5-5	11-10
	Oklahoma State	4-6	12-10
	Kansas State	3-7	10-13
	Texas A&M	2-8	10-10
	Colorado	2-8	7-14
	Baylor	0-10	5-15

Upcoming Action

Saturday, Feb. 12
Texas A&M at Texas Tech (FSN), 3 p.m.
Baylor at Texas (UT Syndicated), 7 p.m.
Colorado at Missouri, 7 p.m.
Oklahoma at Oklahoma State, 1 p.m.

Sunday, Feb. 13
Iowa State at Kansas State, 2 p.m.
Kansas at Nebraska, (espn2), Noon

Poll Position
The Texas Tech Lady Raiders are seventh in the USA Today/ESPN Top 25 and ninth in the Associated Press Top 25 poll for the week of Feb. 7.

1999-00 Double-Doubles

Keitha Dickerson	16 points, 15 rebounds
	vs. Rice, Nov. 23
	11 points, 11 rebounds
	vs. Southwest Texas St., Nov. 26
	11 points, 11 rebounds
	vs. SMU, Dec. 4
	11 points, 13 rebounds
	vs. Lamar, Dec. 15
	16 points, 14 rebounds
	at South Florida, Dec. 17
	11 points, 10 rebounds
	at TCU, Dec. 22
	10 points, 10 rebounds
	at Iowa State, Jan. 2
	19 points, 12 rebounds
	vs. Santa Clara, Jan. 5
	10 points, 14 rebounds
	vs. Texas, Feb. 3
	15 points, 12 rebounds
	at Missouri, Feb. 8
Plenette Pierson	14 points, 10 rebounds
	vs. Rice, Nov. 23
	21 points, 10 rebounds
	at USC, Nov. 29
	15 points, 10 rebounds
	vs. Oklahoma State, Jan. 15
	17 points, 11 rebounds
	vs. Kansas, Jan. 22
Aleah Johnson	14 points, 14 rebounds
	at New Mexico, Dec. 8

Career Assists
Schmucker-Pharies on the move

1. 553	Krista Kirkland (89-93)
2. 531	Melinda Schmucker-Pharies
3. 482	Camille Franklin (82-86)
4. 441	Julie Lake (95-99)

Career Rebounds
Dickerson climbing up the list

1. 1,247	Carolyn Thompson (80-84)
2. 953	Alicia Thompson (94-98)
3. 927	Michi Atkins (92-96)
4. 924	Gwen McCray (79-83)
5. 887	Reena Lynch (86-90)
6. 746	Jill Owens (75-79)
7. 741	Stacey Siebert (86-90)
8. 728	Keitha Dickerson
9. 608	Teresa McMillian (88-92)

Career Steals
O'Neal going up the charts

1. 303	Camille Franklin (83-86)
2. 264	Noel Johnson (91-95)
3. 240	Katrisa O'Neal
4. 237	Carolyn Thompson (80-84)
5. 226	Sheryl Swoopes (91-93)

Where the Lady Raiders Stand
(as of games through Feb. 6)

Big 12 Team Stats
(all games)

Scoring Offense	9th	68.5
Scoring Defense	1st	52.2
Scoring Margin	1st	+16.3
Free Throw Pct.	12th	.601
Field Goal Pct.	6th	.437
Field Goal Pct. Defense	2nd	.378
3-Point Field Goal Pct.	10th	.304
3-Point Field Goal Pct. Defense	1st	.246
Rebounding Offense	10th	38.4
Rebounding Defense	5th	36.5
Rebounding Margin	6th	+2.0
Turnover Margin	1st	+6.90
Assist/Turnover Ratio	4th	0.97
Blocked Shots	10th	2.55
Assists	6th	16.85
Steals	3rd	11.75
Offensive Rebounds	9th	13.45
Defensive Rebounds	T8th	24.95
3-Point Field Goals Made	11th	2.90

Player Notes

#1 Courtney Pastner
Has played in 14 games...scored career-high six points vs. Southwest Texas State Nov. 26 as she hit two three-point baskets...had a career-high three rebounds vs. Colorado Jan. 12...grabbed two rebounds and had a steal against SWT...scored five points vs. Lamar Dec. 15, while adding two assists...had a career-high two steals at Central Florida Dec. 19 and vs. Santa Clara Jan. 5...also had two assists at UCF and vs. Oklahoma State Jan. 15.

#3 Melinda Schmucker-Pharies
Has started all 21 games...leads the team in assists with 115...had a season-high 13 assists at Texas A&M Jan. 29...dished out 10 assists at TCU Dec. 22...scored a season-high 13 points vs. Lamar Dec. 15, also hit three three-pointers...scored 10 points, while hitting two three-point baskets at New Mexico Dec. 8...scored nine points vs. SMU Dec. 4...played all 45 minutes in win at USC Nov. 29... played all 40 minutes in the win over LSU Nov. 20...dished out a team-high 11 assists against Southwest Texas State Nov. 26...had a season-high five steals against Rice Nov. 23 and at Kansas State Jan. 18...recorded first block of the season at Kansas State...hit three three-pointers vs. Kansas Jan. 22...has had a season-high five rebounds three times this year...matched season highs of 13 point and three three-pointers vs. Texas Feb. 3...matched her season highs of five rebounds and five steals at Missouri Feb. 8.

#15 Aleah Johnson
Has started all 21 games...had her first double-double of the season with 14 points and a career-high 14 rebounds at New Mexico Dec. 8...scored a career-high 21 points against Southwest Texas State Nov. 26 in just 15 minutes of play...matched her career-high 21 points vs. Kansas Jan. 22...had a career-high seven assists vs. Lamar Dec. 15...scored 16 points against LSU Nov. 20...had 15 points against Rice Nov. 23...grabbed six rebounds vs. LSU...also had a block vs. LSU...scored 11 points at USC Nov. 29...had a career-high four steals at USC...had a career-high two blocks vs. Colorado Jan. 12...scored 19 points vs. Oklahoma State Jan. 15...tallied a career-high five assists at Texas A&M Jan. 29...scored 20 points vs. Texas Feb. 3...scored 19 points at Baylor Feb. 5...scored 17 points at Missouri Feb.8.

#24 Katrisa O'Neal
Has started all 20 games...scored a career-high 21 points at Central Florida Dec. 19 and matched her season highs of six rebounds and five steals...scored 18 points vs. Santa Clara Jan. 5 and had a career-high eight assists and a season-high two blocks...scored 17 points vs. Rice Nov. 23 and matched that at USC Nov. 29...hit her first three-pointer at South Florida Dec. 17...dished out assists vs. Lamar Dec. 15...grabbed six rebounds vs. LSU Nov. 20 and Southwest Texas State Nov. 26...finished with four assists against Rice and SWT...had four steals against LSU and SMU Dec. 4...recorded a block vs. Lamar Dec. 15 and at USF...grabbed a season-high seven rebounds at Baylor Feb. 5.

#25 Keitha Dickerson
Has started all 21 games...has recorded 10 double-doubles this season...scored 16 points while grabbing a season-high 15 rebounds against Rice Nov. 23...had 11 points and 11 rebounds vs. Southwest Texas State Nov. 26...finished with 11 points and 11 rebounds vs. SMU Dec. 4...had 11 points and 13 rebounds vs. Lamar Dec. 15...matched season-high 16 points and had 14 rebounds at South Florida Dec. 17...scored 11 points and grabbed 10 rebounds at TCU Dec. 22...had 10 points and 10 rebounds at Iowa State Jan. 2...scored 10 points and had 14 rebounds vs. Texas Feb. 3...had 15 points and 12 rebounds at Missouri Feb. 8...scored a season-high 19 points and grabbed 12 rebounds vs. Santa Clara Jan. 5, while getting a career-high eight steals...scored 14 points at New Mexico Dec. 8...had a season-high two blocks vs. Oklahoma State Jan. 15, which matched a career high...recorded a career-high seven assists vs. Kansas Jan. 22...scored 18 points at Texas A&M Jan. 29.

#32 Amber Tarr Has played in all 21 games...had a career high 12 points, hitting a career-high four three-pointers at TCU Dec. 22...had a career-high five rebounds vs. Colorado Jan. 12...scored nine points vs. Oklahoma State Jan. 15...scored eight points, while hitting two three-pointers and recorded her first block of her career...scored six points vs. Lamar Dec. 15 and at South Florida Dec. 17...hit two three-pointers vs. Lamar and at USF, while getting four rebounds vs. Lamar...scored six points against Southwest Texas State Nov. 26...has hit one three-point basket in games against LSU Nov. 20 and SWT...dished out a career-high seven assists vs. Southwest Texas State...had two steals vs. LSU and Santa Clara Jan. 5...scored 10 points at Texas A&M Jan. 29.

#34 Tanisha Ellison
Has played in all 21 games...scored a career-high 12 points in the victory over Southwest Texas State Nov. 26...had six rebounds vs. SWT...scored 10 points in 14 minutes vs. SMU Dec. 4...had a career-high eight rebounds vs. Texas Feb. 3...scored 10 points vs. Kansas Jan. 22...matched her career high of three blocks at Texas A&M Jan. 29 and vs. Texas Feb. 3...had a career-high two assists vs. Kansas, while recording a steal and a block...recorded a steal vs. LSU Nov. 20, at USC Nov. 29, vs. Lamar, South Florida Dec. 17, at Kansas State Jan. 18 and at Missouri Feb. 8.

#50 Nikki Hendrix
Made collegiate debut against Southwest Texas State Nov. 26...has played in eight games...scored four points and grabbed three rebounds...also had a block vs. SWT...made an appearance vs. Lamar Dec. 15 and recorded an assist...hit a three-pointer in win at Central Florida Dec. 19.

#54 Plenette Pierson
Has started all 21 games as a freshman...has made an immediate impact as she has scored in double figures in 15 games...named Big 12 Rookie of the Week Dec. 6...scored a career-high 22 points vs. Colorado Jan. 12...also had three steals Colorado and Kansas Jan. 22...had 15 points and nine rebounds vs. Texas Feb. 3...scored 14 points and had 10 rebounds against Rice Nov. 23 for her first double-double...scored 21 points at USC Nov. 29 and had 10 rebounds in her second double-double...scored 15 points and grabbed 10 rebounds in her third double-double vs. Oklahoma State Jan. 15...scored 17 points and grabbed a career-high 11 rebounds with her fourth double-double vs. Kansas...scored 21 points again vs. SMU Dec. 4 and Lamar Dec. 15...scored 20 points vs. Southwest Texas State Nov. 26...scored 15 points, 13 in the second half at New Mexico Dec. 8...had 12 points in collegiate debut against LSU Nov. 20...recorded a double-double against Rice with 14 points and 10 rebounds...had two steals against SWT...had a career-high three blocks vs. Oklahoma State Jan. 15 and at Kansas State Jan. 18...has eight blocks on the year...dished out a career-high two assists at Central Florida Dec. 19 and vs. Texas Feb. 3...matched her career-high 10 rebounds at TCU Dec. 22...scored 15 points and grabbed nine rebounds, while recording a career-high five steals at Baylor Feb. 5.

#55 Jamie Nagle
Has played in 10 games...made collegiate debut against Southwest Texas State Nov. 26...came off the bench and scored 12 points vs. SWT in 18 minutes of action...also had three blocked shots, six boards and an assist vs. SWT...scored three points against SMU Dec. 4...had an assist vs. SMU...had career-high two assists at Central Florida Dec. 19.