Texas Tech Athletics
Oregon
No. 9 Lady Raiders Hold Off Ducks, 72-65
November 26, 2001 | Women's Basketball
Nov. 26, 2001
EUGENE, Ore. (AP) - Texas Tech knew it would get tested by Oregon's guards, so the Lady Raiders pounded the ball inside and came away with their second straight victory.
Plenette Pierson had 22 points and 12 rebounds as No. 9 Texas Tech held off a second-half rally to beat Oregon 72-65 on Monday night.
"I was feeling confident coming in, and took the mentality that I and the rest of us post players would have to get it done tonight," Pierson said.
Jia Perkins added 10 points and a career-high 11 rebounds, and Natalie Ritchie had 11 points for the Lady Raiders (2-1). Jolee Ayers scored 10 points, including a pair of free throws with 9:31 left that put Texas Tech up for good at 49-48.
"We felt we could take advantage of them in the paint, and I believed we accomplished that," Texas Tech coach Marsha Sharp said. "We felt like we could match up against their guards, and it would be a standoff. Oregon really puts a great attack on the floor, so this is a great road win for us."
Shaquala Williams had 18 points and eight rebounds to lead the Ducks (2-3).
The Lady Raiders outrebounded the Ducks 48-36 and had 20 offensive boards to offset a 38-percent shooting night from the field.
"Our rebounding is something we definitely need to work on," Oregon coach Bev Smith said. "We were a little undersized. We also need to work on our defensive discipline. We picked up quick, early and cheap fouls."
"Our game plan, other than rebounding, went really well," Williams said.
After leading the entire first half, Cathrine Kraayeveld hit a jumper to put the Ducks up 48-47 with just under 10 minutes to play. But that was the last basket the Ducks made until Kraayeveld tipped in a rebound eight minutes later as Texas Tech built a 64-57 lead aided by a 16-4 run.
The Ducks shot only 39 percent from the field, and were just 3-of-14 from 3-point range.
