Lady Raiders Set To Face Rutgers
December 20, 2001 | Women's Basketball
Dec. 20, 2001
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Friday's Game
No. 12/14 Texas Tech (6-2) will take on Rutgers (4-5) Friday, Dec. 21 with tip-off at 6:30 p.m. CST at the Louis Brown Athletic Center. It is the second meeting between the two schools.
The Lady Raiders
Texas Tech is 6-2 on the year after beating Saint Peter's, 75-68, Dec. 19. The Lady Raiders are led in scoring by sophomore Jia Perkins at 15.9 points a game and sophomore Natalie Ritchie at 11.5. Senior Amber Tarr is averaging 7.9 points. Freshman Cisti Greenwalt is averaging 8.5 rebounds per outing, while Perkins is averaging 6.0 boards. Perkins has team highs of 32 assists and 19 steals. Greenwalt is the top shot blocker with 20 blocks followed by sophomore Jolee Ayers with nine. Senior Tanisha Ellison is shooting 56.3 percent from the field and Brown is shooting 44.4 percent. Ritchie is shooting 42.6 percent from three-point range. On the year, the Lady Raiders are shooting 40.6 percent from the field, 36 percent from the three-point arc and 60.9 percent from the free throw line.
Scouting the Opponent
Rutgers enters the game with 4-5 record after losing to Temple, 56-51, Dec. 16. In that game, sophomore Nikki Jett led the Scarlet Knights with 14 points followed by junior Mauri Horton with nine points. Senior Davalyn Cunningham grabbed a game-high 10 rebounds, while freshman Saona Chapman dished out four assists.
On the year, Horton paces Rutgers in scoring with a 14.9 average followed by sophomore Dawn McCullouch at 14.0 and Cunningham at 10.1. Cunningham is the top rebounder, grabbing 8.3 boards per outing. Chapman has a team-high 30 assists, while Jett and freshman Chelsea Newton each lead the team with 15 steals apiece. Freshman Mariota Theodoris is the top shot blocker with three blocks. The Scarlet Knights are shooting 38 percent from the field, 31.4 percent from three-point range and 68.7 percent from the free throw line.
C. Vivian Stringer is in her seventh year at the helm of the Scarlet Knights, establishing a record of 128-69. She is also in her 30th year as a head coach with a career record of 648-204.
Series Record
It is the second meeting between Texas Tech and Rutgers with the Scarlet Knights holding a 1-0 advantage over the Lady Raiders. In the first meeting, Rutgers defeated Texas Tech, 53-42, March 20, 1999 in the NCAA Sweet 16 in Normal, Ill.
A Look Ahead
Texas Tech will conclude 2001 by hosting Vanderbilt in the Triple Crown Classic Dec. 29. Colorado will play LSU in the second game of the classic in Lubbock. Tech will open Big 12 Conference play on Jan. 2 against Kansas in Lubbock.
Lady Raider Head Coach Marsha Sharp
One of the most respected and well-known coaches in Texas Tech history, head coach Marsha Sharp is 465-143 in her 20th year at the helm of the Lady Raiders. Entering the 2001-02 season, Sharp was the seventh active winningest coach among Division I coaches. She has led the Lady Raiders to 14 NCAA Tournament appearances, including 12 consecutive, and eight NCAA Sweet 16 and three Elite Eight appearances and the NCAA National Championship in 1993. Sharp led the Lady Raiders to three-straight Big 12 Conference regular-season titles (1998-2000) and two tournament crowns (1998, 1999). 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.
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.
Last Time Out
(AP) - Jia Perkins scored 24 of her 32 points in the second half, and Cisti Greenwalt had 14 points and 18 rebounds to lead No. 12 Texas Tech to a 75-68 win over St. Peter's on Wednesday night.
Perkins scored 10 points as part of a 14-6 run that gave the Lady Raiders (6-2) a 58-50 lead with about eight minutes left in the game.
St. Peter's (7-2) was led by Felicia Harris with 21 points. Tanesha Seaton added 17 points and 13 rebounds. St. Peter's cut the lead to 59-56 with just over six minutes left, but Perkins hit two more jumpers from 15 feet to put Texas Tech back up by seven.
Greenwalt dominated the boards in the second half and had four baskets on offensive rebounds.
Amber Tarr had 12 points for Texas Tech, which faces Rutgers Friday night.
The lead went back and forth in the first half. St. Peter's held the biggest lead before halftime at 19-16 when Kayla Willis scored four straight points.
Texas Tech took a 35-33 lead at the half on a long jumper by Perkins.
Seaton was an inside force for St. Peter's in the first half, scoring 11 points and grabbing eight rebounds.
Tech scored the first four points of the second half, on a rebound basket by Greenwalt and a driving shot by Casey Jackson to take a 39-33 lead.
The lead changed two more times before the Lady Raiders took it for good at 46-44 on a rebound basket by Jackson.
NCAA Stats
As of games through Dec. 17, sophomore Natalie Ritchie ranks 26th in free throw percentage at 90 percent, among all NCAA Division I players. Ritchie also ranks 30th in three-point field goals made per game at 2.86 and 32nd in three-point field goal percentage at 45.45. As a team, Texas Tech ranks eighth in field goal percentage defense at 34.13.
Perkins Pours in Points
Sophomore Jia Perkins poured in a career-high 32 points in Texas Tech's win at Saint Peter's. Perkins went 10-for-22 from the field and 12-for-14 from the free throw line. Her previous career high was 29 points against Purdue in the NCAA Sweet 16 last season.
Career Highs for Greenwalt
Freshman Cisti Greenwalt came off the bench at Saint Peter's to record career highs of 14 points and 18 rebounds in 31 minutes of action. It marked her second double-double of the year and her third-straight game of 10-plus rebounds.
Jackson Puts Up Career High
Sophomore Casey Jackson scored a career-high 19 points in Texas Tech's win over Southern Miss. Jackson also recorded career highs of five steals and one block in that game.
Simmons, Daniels Get Career Highs vs. Southern Miss
Freshmen Kari Jo Simmons and LaTosha Daniels each had career highs against Southern Miss. Simmons finished with career highs of six points, three rebounds and three assists. Daniels came away with career highs of three points, three rebounds and two steals.
Everyone Scores
In Tech's victory over Southern Miss, all 12 players scored led by sophomore Casey Jackson's 19 points, senior Amber Tarr's 16 and sophomore Jia Perkins' 14.
Season Highs
Texas Tech scored a season-high 95 points against Southern Miss, while also having season highs of 35 made field goals, 10 three-point baskets and 16 assists. Tech also shot a season-high 48.6 percent from the field and matched its season-high 45.5 percent from three-point range. The Lady Raiders also had their best performance from the free throw at 78.9 percent.
Low TOs
The Lady Raiders committed a season-low eight turnovers against Southern Miss.
Shutting Down the Eagles
Texas Tech held Southern Miss to just 34 points, 19.3 field goal percentage and 52.9 free throw percentage - all opponent season lows.
Six Lineups in Seven Games
Texas Tech has used six different lineups in its eight games this year. Sophomore Casey Jackson is the only player who has started all eight games, while senior Tanisha Ellison and sophomore Jia Perkins have both started seven games and sophomore Dionne Brown has had five starts. Senior Amber Tarr has four starts, while sophomore Natalie Ritchie has three starts and senior Candi White has two.
Double Vision
Sophomore Dionne Brown and freshman Cisti Greenwalt each had her first double-double of the season against Rice. Brown had a season-high 14 points and tied her career-high 10 rebounds, while Greenwalt had then career highs of 13 points and 16 rebounds.
Shooting Star
Sophomore Natalie Ritchie tied her career high of five three-pointers against Rice. Ritchie had 20 points in the game for her second game of 20-plus points this year.
Everybody Plays
In Texas Tech's 74-43 victory over Rice, all 12 players saw action led by sophomore Natalie Ritchie's 28 minutes. Sophomore Dionne Brown and freshman Cisti Greenwalt each recorded 24 minutes of play, while Perkins added 23 minutes.
Ellison Swats Away
Senior Tanisha Ellison had a career-high four blocks against Rice. Her previous career high was three, which she had done on three occasions. Junior Jamie Nagle tied her career high in blocks with three against the Lady Owls.
Tech Ties Single-Game Record for Blocks, Again
Texas Tech tied a single-game high in blocks with 13 against Rice for the second-straight game. Tech also had 13 blocks against North Texas in the previous game. Tech also had 13 blocks against Texas A&M on Feb. 12, 1997.
More Steals for Ritchie
Sophomore Natalie Ritchie stole a career-high fours steals against Rice. Ritchie's previous career high was one, which she had done six times in her career.
Block Party
Texas Tech has recorded 51 blocks on the year, including 39 in the last four games. Tech is averaging 6.4 blocks per game.
Second Double-Double for Perkins
Sophomore Jia Perkins recorded her second double-double of the season against North Texas with 26 points and a career-high 12 rebounds.
New Kid on the "Block"
Freshman Cisti Greenwalt came off the bench against North Texas and tallied a career-high seven blocks in 18 minutes of play. Greenwalt also added six rebounds and three points.
Jumpin' Jia
Sophomore Jia Perkins grabbed a career-high 12 rebounds against North Texas. Perkins' previous career high was 11 boards against Oregon this season.
Television Games
The Lady Raiders will appear on national and/or regional television seven times this season. Tech first game was against Duke Nov. 11 on ESPN and will play Wisconsin on espn2 on Feb. 17. The Lady Raiders will face Big 12 foes Texas (home and away), at Kansas State, Colorado and at Oklahoma on Fox Sports Net. The rest of Tech's home games will be televised locally and throughout the state of Texas by the Texas Tech Television Network.
2001-02 Lady Raiders
#3 * Casey Jackson * 5-11 * Sophomore * Forward * Amarillo, Texas * Palo-Duro H.S.
Has started all eight games...scored six points and grabbed a career-high nine rebounds at Duke...had seven points and added six rebounds, while matching career-high three assists at Oregon State...scored nine points, had two steals and had five rebounds at Oregon...contributed six points and five rebounds at New Mexico...had six rebounds and two steals against North Texas..had two steals vs. Rice...scored a career-high 19 points and grabbed eight rebounds against Southern Miss, while adding career highs of five steals and one block...had seven points and six rebounds at Saint Peter's. Interesting fact - is a neat freak
#10 * LaTosha Daniels * 5-8 * Freshman * Guard * Fort Worth, Texas * L.D. Bell H.S.
Has played in three games...played in first college game at Oregon State...scored two points vs. Rice...had career highs of three points, three rebounds and two steals against Southern Miss. Interesting fact - likes the Dixie Chicks
#11 * Candi White * 5-7 * Senior * Guard * Canyon, Texas * Seward County CC/Canyon H.S. Has played in all eight games with two starts...recorded three assists and two rebounds at Duke...had four points at Oregon State and at Oregon....had three rebounds at New Mexico...had season highs of six rebounds, six assists and two steals vs. North Texas...had season-high five points, tied career-high four steals and had season-high one block vs. Rice...had four points vs. Southern Miss. Interesting fact - favorite athlete is Lance Armstrong
#15 * Jia Perkins * 5-8 * Sophomore * Guard * Granbury, Texas * Granbury H.S.
Has played in all eight games with seven starts...has had two double-doubles...scored 27 points and had eight rebounds, five steals and four assists against Duke...had seven points, a season-high seven assists and four steals at Oregon State...recorded first double-double of the season with 10 points and 11 rebounds at Oregon...had six assists at New Mexico...had 26 points and a career-high 12 rebounds vs. North Texas...also tied career-high two blocks and had season-high two three-pointers against UNT...had eight points and four assist against Rice...scored 14 points and season-high two three-pointers vs. Southern Miss...scored a career-high 32 points at Saint Peter's, while adding eight rebounds, three assists and three steals. Interesting fact - father, Johnny Perkins, played football for the New York Giants
#23 * Natalie Ritchie * 5-9 * Sophomore * Guard * Amarillo, Texas * Amarillo H.S.
Has played in all eight games with three starts...has scored in double figures in five games...came off the bench to score 16 points at Duke in 26 minutes of action...also had a career-high six rebounds and four three-pointers at Duke...scored a career-high 21 points and hit a career-high five three-pointers at Oregon State...had 11 points at Oregon...had 13 points at New Mexico...scored 20 points, while tying career highs of five three-pointers and three assists and having a career-high four steals vs. Rice...had nine points vs. Southern Miss. Interesting fact - obsessed with brushing her teeth
#24 * Kari Jo Simmons * 5-9 * Freshman * Guard * Lubbock, Texas * Monterey H.S.
Has played in four games...played in first collegiate game against North Texas and recorded two points and a rebound...had two points, two rebounds, two assists and one steal vs. Rice...had career highs of six points, three rebounds and three assists against Southern Miss. Interesting fact - favorite athlete is Jackie Stiles
#31 * Cisti Greenwalt * 6-5 * Freshman * Center * Clovis, N.M. * Clovis H.S.
Has played in six games...played in first collegiate game at Duke...has had two double-doubles this year...recorded two blocks at Oregon State...had career-high seven blocks, while adding three points and six rebounds against North Texas...had 13 points and 16 rebounds vs. Rice...had nine points, 11 rebounds and three blocks against Southern Miss...had career highs of 14 points and 18 rebounds at Saint Peter's, while adding five blocks. Interesting fact - favorite color is pink
#32 * Amber Tarr * 6-0 * Senior * Guard * Ozona, Texas * Ozona H.S.
Has played in all eight games with four starts...had one rebound at Duke...had three rebounds and three assists at Oregon State...had season highs of 19 points, four three-pointers and four rebounds at New Mexico...had 13 points, tied career-high seven rebounds and had a season-high two steals against North Texas....tied season-high two steals vs. Rice..had 16 points and tied season-high four three-pointers against Southern Miss...scored 12 points and grabbed six rebounds at Saint Peter's. Interesting fact - will not eat seafood
#33 * Jolee Ayers * 6-2 * Sophomore * Forward/Center * Canyon, Texas * Canyon H.S.
Has played in all eight games...scored four points and grabbed four boards in 25 minutes of play at Duke...tied career highs of three assists and two blocks, while adding three rebounds at Oregon State...had season highs of 10 points and five rebounds, while tying career-high two blocks at Oregon...tied career-high two blocks at New Mexico...tied season-high one steal vs. North Texas...tied season-high two steals vs. Rice...tied season highs of five rebounds and two steals against Southern Miss...had four points and three rebounds at Saint Peter's. Interesting fact - father, the late John Ayers, played football for the San Francisco 49ers
#34 * Tanisha Ellison * 6-1 * Senior * Center * Houston, Texas * Elsik H.S.
Has played all eight games with seven starts...had four points and five rebounds at Oregon State...had season-high eight rebounds at Oregon...scored season-high 11 points at New Mexico...had seven points and four rebounds vs. North Texas...had six points, five rebounds and a career high four blocks vs. Rice...had four points, five rebounds and tied season-high one steal vs. Southern Miss...had five points and six rebounds at Saint Peter's. Interesting fact - favorite cartoon is the Flintstones
#50 * Dionne Brown * 6-2 * Sophomore * Forward/Center * Georgetown, Texas * Georgetown H.S.
Has played in six games with five starts...injured right knee and missed two games...has had one double-double this year...recorded six points, two rebounds, and one assist and one steal at Duke...had three rebounds at New Mexico...had eight points and tied career highs of 10 rebounds and three blocks vs. North Texas...also had season highs of two steals and one assist against UNT...had season-high 14 points and tied career-high 10 rebounds vs. Rice...had six points, six rebounds and tied season-high one assists vs. Southern Miss. Interesting fact - favorite athletes are Michael Jordan and Jackie Joyner-Kersee
#55 * Jamie Nagle * 6-7 * Junior * Center * Carthage, Texas * Carthage H.S.
Has played in three games...had season-high two rebounds and tied career-high three blocks vs. Rice...scored season-high two points against Southern Miss. Interesting fact - favorite cartoon is Scooby Doo