LUBBOCK, Texas – Head coach Bill Brock preached to his team ahead of Friday's contest that they needed to compete heading into Lubbock to take on Texas Tech, and compete they did, as Tarleton State gave the Red Raiders everything they could handle.
Playing their road opener at United Supermarkets Arena in Lubbock Friday night, the Texans were within arm's reach of the Red Raiders throughout, falling 70-63. This was the closest Tarleton State (1-1) has been to knocking off a Power Five conference team, against a Texas Tech (2-0) team that made it to the third round of the WNIT a season ago and pounded fellow WAC program UTRGV 95-53 in this year's season opener.
"I'm very proud of our team's effort this evening," Brock said. "We challenged them to play hard and compete in our first road game of the season. We controlled our turnovers much better in the second half and that led to a better offensive output in the last 20 minutes. Hopefully we will start quicker in the game on Sunday against New Mexico."
Both teams played similarly in each half, a defensive fest in the first 20 minutes followed by an offensive explosion in the second half.
The teams combined for 30 turnovers in the first half, and combined to shoot just 16-of-51 (.314) from the field, 5-of-22 (.227) from the three-point line. Texas Tech held a 26-15 lead at halftime. This half followed Tarleton scoring 106 points in the season opener, their most points in nine years, and Texas Tech scoring 95 points, 62 in the first half alone, 37 in the second quarter, in their season opener.
Friday's second half was the complete opposite of the first, with just 11 combined turnovers and a combined 30-of-50 (.600) clip from the field, 10-of-18 (.556) from distance. After Texas Tech took their largest lead of the game at 15 points midway through the third, Tarleton maintained their composure to keep it fairly close entering the final frame, 50-38. Down 14 with 7:13 to play, the Texans went on an 8-0 run to cut their deficit to six, thanks to a jumper by
Lexi Bull, a three-ball on a contested shot by
Jakoriah Long, then a beautiful find by Bull to
Miannah Little for an and-one sequence. The Red Raiders made their free throws down the stretch to come out with the victory.
Both teams made 23 field goals, with Tarleton owning the advantage from distance at 9-of-22 (.409) to 6-of-18 (.333). Texas Tech got to the stripe 15 more times, making 18-of-24 (.750) free throws to Tarleton's 8-of-9 (.889). Otherwise this was an evenly matched game, with both teams identical in points off of turnovers (13 each), nearly identical in turnovers (21-20), identical in fast break points (five each), nearly identical in second chance points (7-5), and close in rebounds (32-26).
Long had a team-high 13 points off the bench on 4-of-8 shooting, plus 4-of-4 from the free throw line.
Teresa Da Silva joined her in double figures with 11 points (3-6 3PT), three rebounds and three steals.
Elise Turrubiates had eight points (2-2 3PT) and five rebounds.
Andjela Bigovic tallied seven points, three rebounds and three blocks.
Texas Tech was led by Jordy Merritt, who poured in 18 points on 6-of-10 shooting, adding three rebounds. Bailey Maupin (16 points, 6-12 FG, four rebounds, three assists, two steals) and Jasmine Shavers (11 points, six rebounds, two steals) joined her in double figures. Kilah Freelon finished with nine points and eight boards.
It's a quick turnaround for Tarleton State, heading straight to Albuquerque following the game in Lubbock. The Texans will take on the New Mexico Lobos on Sunday at 3 p.m. CT at The Pit.
