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Lady Raiders Head to Dallas, Will Face Oklahoma State in the Big 12 Championship
March 5, 2006
Complete Release in PDF Format
Phillips 66 Big 12 Women's Basketball Championship • First Round
Texas Tech (14-13/9-7) vs. Oklahoma State (6-21/0-16) March 7, 2006 • Reunion Arena (16,500) • Dallas, Texas • 2:30 p.m.
The Game
On the Air There is no television coverage of the first round games of the Big 12 Championship. Television coverage will begin during the quarterfinals on FSN. The game can be heard on the radio on the Texas Tech Sports Network as Ryan Hyatt (play-by-play) and Crystal Boles (color analyst) call the game.
The Lady Raiders Texas Tech is 14-13 on the year and finished Big 12 Conference play with a 9-7 record after losing a heartbreaker to then No. 9/8 Oklahoma, 60-59, in Lubbock last Wednesday. On the year, senior LaToya Davis leads the team in scoring at 19.2 points per game followed by junior Alesha Robertson at 12.4 and senior Erin Grant at 12.0. Davis is also the top rebounder, grabbing 10.8 boards per outing, while Robertson is averaging 6.9 rebounds. Davis is shooting a team-high 60.2 percent from the field and Grant is shooting 39.1 percent from behind the three-point arc and 78.8 percent from the free throw line. Grant has team highs of 172 assists and 29 steals. Sophomore Erin Myrick is the top shot blocker with 24 blocks. The Lady Raiders are shooting 41.6 percent from the field, 33.2 percent from three-point range and 65 percent from the charity stripe.
Scouting the Opponent Oklahoma State enters the Phillips 66 Big 12 Women's Basketball Championship with a 6-21 overall record and was 0-16 in Big 12 play after losing to Texas A&M, 65-47, in its final regular-season game last Wednesday in Stillwater.
On the year, junior Whitney Pegram paces the Cowgirls in scoring with a 14.3 average followed by freshman Shaunte' Smith at 10.8. Smith is the top rebounder as she is averaging 6.7 boards per contest. Junior Brisa Silva has team highs of 95 assists and 39 steals. Pegram is the top shot blocker with 69 blocks. OSU is shooting 38.5 percent from the field, 31.1 percent from the three-point arc and 58.1 percent from the free throw line.
Kurt Budke is in his first year at the helm of the Cowgirls, establishing a record of 6-21. He is in his 13th year as a head coach with a career record of 359-67.
Series Record Texas Tech is 22-12 against Oklahoma State, winning both games this year, 61-51, in Stillwater Jan. 25, and 48-35, in Lubbock Feb. 8. OSU's last victory was on Jan. 24, 2004, in an 88-87 overtime win in Stillwater. Tech is 2-0 against the Cowgirls in the Big 12 Championship. The Lady Raiders won in the semifinals in 1998, 53-49, in Kansas City, Mo., and in the quarterfinals, 75-52, in 2003 in Dallas.
This Year vs. Oklahoma State Jan. 25, 2006 (AP) - LaToya Davis scored a game-high 18 points and grabbed 14 rebounds to help lead Texas Tech to a 61-51 win over Oklahoma State.
The Lady Raiders shot 50 percent from 3-point range and jumped to a 31-20 halftime lead.
Erin Grant scored 15 points and Alesha Robertson added eight points and 13 rebounds for Texas Tech. Grant had seven assists to become the Big 12 Conference's all-time career leader for assists (770); surpassing the old mark of 764 set by Oklahoma's Stacey Dales (1998-2002).
Shaunte' Smith scored 16 points to lead the Cowgirls. Whitney Pegram came off the bench to add 11 points for Oklahoma State, which shot just 18 percent from 3-point range.
Feb. 8, 2006 (AP) - LaToya Davis had 12 points and 14 rebounds to lead Texas Tech past Oklahoma State 48-35 Wednesday night and hand the Cowgirls their 11th straight loss.
The Lady Raiders shot 35 percent in the game and tied a season-low points, but still managed to get their eighth straight home win.
In addition to their shooting woes, the Lady Raiders committed 16 turnovers, but the Cowgirls couldn't get any points off Tech's mishaps.
OSU was held under 40 points for just the second time this season after shooting 28 percent from the field and going 7-of-16 from the free throw line.
Catherria Turner scored 10 points for Oklahoma State and was the only Cowgirl player in double figures.
Erin Grant had 10 points for Texas Tech. Brooke Baughman added a game-high eight assists.
The Cowgirls didn't get their first field goal in the second half until the 13:53 mark, a drought of more than 11 minutes. But Oklahoma State finished the game on a 14-6 run as Tech had taken most of its starters off the court.
Oklahoma State also scored only one field goal in the final 10 minutes of the first half, and Tech led 26-15 at the break after finishing the half on a 17-5 run. Tech's 48 points tied the season low set Sunday in a loss to Texas A&M.
The Cowgirls haven't won since Dec. 29 against Prairie View A&M and haven't won in Lubbock since January 1997.
Last Time Out (AP) - Courtney Paris got a triple double and set an NCAA freshman rebounding record as No. 9 Oklahoma held off Texas Tech 60-59 on Wednesday night, denying Lady Raider coach Marsha Sharp a final regular-season home win.
Paris, a candidate for national player of the year, scored 18 points, grabbed 13 rebounds and blocked 10 shots for the Sooners (26-4, 16-0), who became the first team to go undefeated in the Big 12 since the league began in 1996. She got her record-breaking 444th rebound of the season late in the game.
Last week, Sharp announced she was resigning at the end of the season, her 24th at Tech. Her record is 571-188.
LaToya Davis scored 27 points and had 10 rebounds to lead the Lady Raiders (14-13, 9-7).
Down by 17 points early in the second half, Tech used runs of 16-4 and 7-0 to go up 57-56 on a layup by Davis with 2:32 remaining. But Oklahoma answered with two free throws by Paris and a bucket by Leah Rush with 1:36 to go that put the game out of reach.
Britney Brown scored 12 points and Chelsi Welch added 11 for the Sooners.
The Sooners jumped in front early, using a 12-0 run to lead 18-5 with about 14 minutes left in the half. But Tech didn't wilt.
The Lady Raiders used a 7-3 run capped by a tough layup by Davis and an ensuing free throw to pull within 32-26 with just more than a minute remaining in the half. Welch finished the half with a 3-pointer to give the Sooners a 37-26 lead at halftime.
During practice before the game, Tech players donned shirts that read, "Thanks, Marsha. From the Lady Raider Nation," with all of her accomplishments listed on the back. The Sooners, as a show of respect, came out just before the tip wearing the same shirts.
It was Sharp's final regular-season home game. If they do not get an at-large bid to the NCAA tournament, they could host a Women's National Invitational Tournament game.
During 24 seasons in Lubbock, Sharp has taken Tech to 16 straight NCAA appearances -- 18 overall -- reaching the regional finals four times and the regional semis seven times. The Lady Raiders won the national title in 1993.
A Look Ahead Texas Tech will compete in the Phillips 66 Big 12 Championship at Reunion Arena in Dallas March 7-11.
NCAA Stats As of games through Feb. 27, senior LaToya Davis ranks 10th in field goal percentage at 60.1, 15th in rebounds per game at 10.8 and 24th in scoring at 18.9, and senior Erin Grant ranks 11th in assists per game at 6.3, among all NCAA Division I players.
Senior CLASS Finalists Senior LaToya Davis was one of 10 student-athletes named as a finalist for the Senior CLASS Award, which is presented annually to the nation's senior player of the year. Davis and senior Erin Grant were both named one of 30 finalists in January before the list was trimmed to 10 on March 1. An acronym for Celebrating Loyalty and Achievement for Staying in School, the award was launched during the 2001-02 season in response to the trend of college basketball players leaving college early to turn professional. Nationwide voting begins on Monday, March 6 and concludes two weeks later on March 20. Winners are determined by a balloting system that includes college basketball coaches, media and fans. Over 100 coaches and media will receive private ballots. Fans can vote on-line at www.seniorclassaward.com.
Grant Named First Team Academic All-District VI Senior Erin Grant was named to the CoSIDA ESPN The Magazine Academic All-District VI first team. Grant was one of six student-athletes to receive this honor for District VI. Grant now advances to the national ballot, which consists of all first team selections from the eight districts, a total of 42 student-athletes this year. In order to be nominated for Academic All-District and All-America honors, a player must be a starter or important reserve, must have a 3.20 cumulative grade-point average and must have completed at least one full academic year at her institution.
Academic All-Big 12 First Team Honors for Four Senior Erin Grant, junior Brooke Baughman and sophomores Darrice Griffin and Erin Myrick were named Academic All-Big 12 first team, which was announced by the conference office. Grant is a three-time honoree, while this is the second time for Baughman and the first time for both Griffin and Myrick.
Grant Becomes Big 12 Leader in Career Assists Senior Erin Grant dished out seven assists at Oklahoma State, which allowed her to become the Big 12 Conference's all-time career leader in assists, which she currently has 833 career assists. Grant broke the old record of 764, set by Oklahoma's Stacey Dales (1998-2002). The 833 assists ranks tied for 14th in NCAA Division I history.
Grant Named Mid-Season Naismith Candidate Senior Erin Grant was one of 30 women's basketball players named mid-season Naismith Trophy Candidates, which was announced by the Atlanta Tipoff Club last week. The Naismith Trophy is presented annually to the National Player of the Year.
Three Join 1,000-Point Club Senior LaToya Davis reached the 1,000th-career point plateau in the game against Fresno State. Davis currently has 1,287 points in her career, which is 13th on Tech's career scoring list. Junior Alesha Robertson scored 16 points at Missouri to crack the 1,000th-point mark. She currently has 1,134 points in her career, which ranks 16th all-time at Tech. Senior Erin Grant chipped in 10 points at Texas A&M to join the 1,000-point club. Grant has 1,085 career points, which stands 21st all-time.
Sharp's 118 the Best in the Big 12 Head coach Marsha Sharp's 118 Big 12 wins is first among all Big 12 coaches. Sharp finished Big 12 play with a 118-41 record.
Seventeenth Double-Double for Davis Senior LaToya Davis got her 17th double-double of the season with 27 points and 10 rebounds against Oklahoma in the regular-season finale. It was the 27th double-double of her career.
Myrick Picks Up Second Double-Double Sophomore Erin Myrick picked up her second double-double of the season and the second of her career with 10 points and 10 rebounds at Texas. Her first double-double came at Texas A&M.
Davis Records Two More Double-Doubles Senior LaToya Davis registered her 15th and 16th double-doubles of the season as she had 11 points and tied her season-high 15 rebounds at Iowa State, and had 23 points and 10 rebounds at Baylor.
Grant Gets Third Double-Double Senior Erin Grant picked up her third double-double of the year as she had 19 points and 10 assists at Baylor. It was the fifth time this season she has recorded double-digit assists and the 22nd of her career.
Another 50 Percent Field Goal Effort The Lady Raiders shot over 50 percent for the second time in three games as they shot 52.2 percent at Baylor (24-for-46). It marked the sixth time this season to shoot 50 percent or better from the field. Tech shot 50 percent against Colorado two games prior to the Baylor game. Tech's season-high field goal percentage is 62.5 percent against Oral Roberts Dec. 15.
Grant and Robertson Put Up Points Senior Erin Grant and junior Alesha Robertson combined to score 41 of Tech's 65 points at Iowa State. Grant led the Lady Raiders with 21 points and Robertson finished with 20.
Season-High Three-Pointers Texas Tech hit nine three-pointers at Iowa State marking a season-high performance. In the first half, the Lady Raiders hit 8-of-11 three-pointers. Junior Alesha Robertson tied her season-high four three-pointers and senior Erin Grant tied her career-high three three-pointers against the Cyclones.
Starters Getting the Job Done The starting five scored all but four points in the Lady Raiders' win over Colorado. Senior LaToya Davis poured in 22 points followed by senior Erin Grant and junior Alesha Robertson with 16 apiece. Sophomore Erin Myrick chipped in 12 points and junior Brooke Baughman had six. Myrick and Davis had nine and eight rebounds, respectively, while Grant and Baughman both tallied six assists. Grant also collected a season-high four steals.
Season-High Blocks for Griffin Sophomore Darrice Griffin swatted a season-high three blocks against the Buffaloes. Her previous season-high was two at Kansas State.
Another Double-Double for Davis Senior LaToya Davis collected her 14th double-double of the season with 12 points and 14 rebounds in the win over Oklahoma State (2/8).
Baughman Dishes Out Junior Brooke Baughman dished out eight assists against the Cowgirls, just one assist shy of matching her career high of nine assists.
Edwards Ties Career Highs Junior Patrice Edwards tied her career highs of six rebounds and two steals against Oklahoma State.
Three Starters Record Double-Doubles The Lady Raiders had three starters record double-doubles at Texas A&M. Junior Alesha Robertson had 16 points and 11 rebounds, while senior LaToya Davis had 14 points and 10 rebounds and sophomore Erin Myrick finished with 10 points and a career-high 14 rebounds.
Seeing Double For the second time this season, all five starters scored in double figures for Tech in the win over Texas. Senior LaToya Davis led the way with 23 points followed by junior Alesha Robertson with 21, junior Brooke Baughman with 16, sophomore Erin Myrick with 12 and senior Erin Grant with 10. The Lady Raiders also had all five starters (Davis, Robertson, Myrick, Henderson, Grant) score in double figures against Oral Roberts on Dec. 15.
Baughman Has Big Night Junior Brooke Baughman had a big night against Texas (2/1) as she poured in a career-high 16 points and hit a career-high four three-pointers in the win.
Robertson Up the Charts Junior Alesha Robertson ranks sixth in career three-point field goals made (140) and stands seventh in career three-point field goal attempts (380).
Robertson Grabs Career-High Boards Junior Alesha Robertson grabbed a career-high 13 boards at Oklahoma State. Robertson's previous career high was 11 on three occasions.
First Road Win Texas Tech got its first road win of the season in a 61-51 victory at Oklahoma State. The other road win came at Texas. Tech's only other win away from Lubbock was a neutral site game against Louisville in the Caribbean Classic in Cancun, Mexico.
Lady Raiders Swat Season High As a team, Texas Tech swatted a season-high seven blocks at Oklahoma on Wednesday. Junior Alesha Robertson and sophomore Erin Myrick led the way with two blocks apiece, while senior LaToya Davis, senior Erin Grant and sophomore Darrice Griffin each had one block.
First Top 25 Win Texas Tech's 64-62 win over No. 5/5 Baylor was the first victory against a team ranked in the Top 25 this season. Tech was 0-2 against teams in the Top 25, which included losses to No. 3/3 LSU and No. 15/13 Stanford.
Davis Named Big 12 Player of the Week Senior LaToya Davis was named the Big 12 Player of the Week on Dec. 19 for her performance the week of Dec. 12-18. Davis poured in a career-high 33 points in Texas Tech's 99-58 win over Oral Roberts in the Lady Raiders' lone contest that week. Davis scored 25 of her points in the first half. The Houston, Texas, native shot 81.3 percent from the field, hitting 13-of-16 shots. Davis was also 7-of-10 from the free throw line for 70 percent. She added eight rebounds and a steal in the 41-point victory in 25 minutes of action.
Davis Sets Tip-Off Classic Record Senior LaToya Davis set a new State Farm Women's Tip-Off Classic record for field goal percentage as she was 10-for-13 for 76.9 percent against LSU. The old mark was 72.8 percent held by three players.
Home Sweet Home Texas Tech has won 99 of its 110 games it has played at the United Spirit Arena for a .900 winning percentage. In the Sharp era, the Lady Raiders have won 288 of their 333 home contests (.865 percent). Tech has produced five perfect seasons at home 1999-00 (16-0), 1998-99 (14-0), 1995-96 (16-0), 1992-93 (15-0) and 1991-92 (11-0).
Diploma in Hand Senior Erin Grant is not only a standout on the court, but also in the classroom. Grant graduated from Texas Tech last May with degrees in marketing and general business in just three years. She is currently working on her MBA.
Winning Percentage By Class The senior class is 92-35 (.724) mark and 44-20 (.688) in the conference. The junior class posts a record of 63-29 (.685) and 31-17 (.646). The sophomore class is 38-21 (.644) and 21-11 (.656) in the league, while the freshmen are 14-13 (.519) and 9-7 (.563) in the Big 12.
On the Tube Texas Tech had 17 regular-season games televised this season. Tech appeared on ESPN2 three times: LSU (L, 68-76), at Penn State (L 2OT, 72-78) and at Texas (W, 58-46); and on ESPNU once: Texas (W, 84-63). The Lady Raiders were on FSN six times: Stanford (L, 63-66), (W, 64-62), Nebraska (W, 61-59), at Missouri (L, 51-65), at Texas A&M (L, 48-65) and at Baylor (L, 60-73). Tech played on FSN Midwest at Kansas State (L, 51-53). The Texas Tech Television Network aired the following games: Sac State (W, 63-53), Oral Roberts (W, 99-58), Texas A&M (W, 56-55), Colorado (W, 76-56) and Oklahoma (L, 59-60). Tech's game at Oklahoma (L, 63-57) aired on the Sooner Sports Network and broadcast back to Lubbock.
ESPN Experts Like Grant ESPN.com grilled its panel of experts - bracket Charlie Creme, columnist Mechelle Voepel and ESPN's Nancy Lieberman and Beth Mowins on their picks for the 2005-06 season. Texas Tech's Erin Grant was picked the best passer in the country by Creme, Lieberman and Voepel, while Voepel chose Grant as the best ball handler in the nation.
Follow the Lady Raiders All Lady Raider basketball games can be heard live on the Texas Tech Sports Network on KFYO-AM 790 and KKCL-FM 98.1 locally. Listen to play-by-play by Ryan Hyatt as he takes the court with the Lady Raiders. The following radio stations will air the Lady Raider basketball games this season:
Amarillo - KIXZ-AM (940) Haskell - KVRP-FM (97.1) Hereford - KPAN-AM/FM (860/106.3) Lamesa - KPET-AM (690) Lubbock - KFYO-AM/KKCL-FM (790/98.1) Midland - KMMD/KRIL-AM (1510/1410) Plainview - KVOP-AM (1090)
Lady Raider Basketball with Marsha Sharp Marsha Sharp's weekly television show, Lady Raider Basketball with Marsha Sharp, is televised every Sunday on FOX34 at 10 p.m. and UPN Lubbock at 10:30 p.m.
Lady Raiders Ink Two to National Letters of Intent Texas Tech signed two standout student-athletes to National Letters of Intent: Raquel Christian (Midland, Texas) and Jordan Murphree (Brock, Texas). Christian is a 5-7 guard from Midland High School and Murphree is a 5-11 guard from Brock High School.
Lubbock - The Place to Live The first-ever Coldwell Banker® College Market Home Price Comparison Index (HPCI) found that fans and alumni of Texas Tech should stand and cheer. Lubbock, Texas, ranks as the most affordable college town in the study, with an average home price of $164,133. The College Market HPCI evaluated average home values for a single-family dwelling in a middle-management community measuring approximately 2,200 square feet with four bedrooms, two and one-half baths, a family room (or equivalent) and two-car garage. The snapshot study examined 59 markets that are home to the premier college football programs in the country. Palo Alto, Calif., home of Stanford, topped the charts as the most expensive college town in the index at $1,550,000. |
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