Texas Tech Athletics
Valparaiso
No. 12 Texas Tech Topple Valparaiso, 81- 46
November 27, 2002 | Women's Basketball
Nov 27, 2002
LUBBOCK, Texas (AP) - Jia Perkins scored 18 points, including 10 in the second half, to lead No. 12 Texas Tech to an 81-46 victory over Valparaiso on Wednesday night.
Tech (2-1) seized control early, scoring 15 of the game's first 18 points. Junior guard Natalie Ritchie ignited the early scoring flurry by connecting on two 3-point baskets. Perkins capped the spree with a 12-foot jump shot, giving the Lady Raiders a 15-3 lead.
Valparaiso (1-2) got no closer than 10 points the rest of the game.
The Crusaders had difficulty getting into their offense throughout the game as Tech's pressure defense continually forced Valparaiso into mistakes. The Crusaders had four shot-clock violations in the first half alone as a result of the tight defense.
Tech's Casey Jackson hit consecutive baskets with slightly more than eight minutes remaining in the first half, pushing the lead to 23-9.
After Valparaiso moved within 30-16 with 4:18 left in the first half, Tech went on a 14-4 run for a 44-20 lead at the half.
Tech kept up the onslaught in the second half. Perkins scored eight consecutive points midway through the second half, and Plenette Pierson added a basket and free throw that gave the Lady Raiders a 62-27 lead with 12:03 remaining.
Tech's biggest lead came on a layup by Cisti Greenwalt with just under a minute to play, making it 81-43.
Ritchie scored 11 points. Greenwalt and Casey Jackson each finished with 10.
The Crusaders were led by Suzie Hammel's 11 points.
