Texas Tech women will face tough tests
LUBBOCK, Texas — Texas Tech blew away most of its nonconference competition in 2011, but a trio of road tests in the final two weeks served as good preparation for the Big 12 women’s basketball season to come.
The Big 12 schedule tips off Wednesday night when Texas Tech plays host to Oklahoma State at 7 p.m.
The Lady Raiders scraped out wins against Illinois on Dec. 17 in Chicago as well as against Cal State Bakersfield and host San Diego in last week’s Surf ’N Slam Classic.
“We didn’t play very well but at the same time we were able to find a way to win,” Tech coach Kristy Curry said. “It got a little hostile at times, a little crazy, but we were able to find a way and you turn the page and keep getting better. It gives us some confidence in close game situations to pull one out.”
In the 58-57 victory Friday against San Diego, Tech pulled ahead on a Kierra Mallard putback with 7.6 seconds remaining. The Lady Raiders then got the win after Felicia Wijenberg missed an open layup on the final possession.
Tech trailed Cal State Bakersfield early before taking a 15-point lead at the half. The Lady Raiders gave up 43 points in the second half to Cal State Bakersfield, which had only six players on the roster and scored two bench points.
“They were some tough ones, but we ended up pulling them out and a win is a win,” junior guard Casey Morris said. “I think we brought ourselves closer together with that.”
Tech can expect more close games in the coming weeks. Three of the Lady Raiders’ eight conference wins last year were decided by five points or fewer.
There was good to go with the bad last week, though. Chynna Brown and Shauntal Nobles came off the bench and earned all-tournament honors.
Brown scored 14 points against San Diego, and Nobles had 14 points and eight rebounds against Cal State Bakersfield.
“Usually when you sub it’s because you’re giving someone else a break and you don’t want there to be a letdown,” Curry said. “It’s tough to teach a kid to come off and be a spark. To have two of three all-tournament selections off your bench is probably unheard of.”