Texas Tech Athletics
Rice
Lady Raiders Reel In Victory Against Rice
December 30, 2002 | Women's Basketball
Dec 31, 2002
HOUSTON (AP) - Natalie Ritchie got a little redemption and a little breathing room for eighth-ranked Texas Tech when she hit a four-point play with 1:40 left in 70-66 victory Monday night over Rice.
Seconds earlier, she sent up an airball from 3-point range.
"Part of being a shooter is being able to put your last shot behind you, if you make it or miss it," said Ritchie, who scored seven of her nine points in the second half. "It just so happened that my girl backed off of me, and I was wide open. I was just lucky enough that she fouled me, and that I was able to put the free throw in."
Plenette Pierson led Tech with 21 points, nine rebounds and two blocks as the Lady Raiders won their ninth straight game since losing the season opener.
Kate Beckler led Rice (2-6) with 13 points.
Pierson had 18 points in the first half. She wound up making nine of 17 shots and was 3-of-6 from the foul line.
Tech took a 6-4 lead before Rice went on a 13-2 run to take a 17-8 advantage midway through the first half.
Rice had a 39-36 halftime lead. The Lady Owls shot 55 percent from the field in the first half. Texas Tech made 48 percent in the first 20 minutes.
Jia Perkins added 14 points, Cisti Greenwalt 13, and Erin Grant 11 for Texas Tech.
Johnetta Hayes added 12 points, and Elisa Inman and Kim Lawson 11 apiece for the Lady Owls.
"I'm really proud that we made enough plays at the end to hold them off and be able to take a win away, because I though it was the most competitive game we've played since Louisiana Tech," Tech coach Marsha Sharp said. "It's probably good for us to be on the road in front of a hostile environment and have to make that many plays to win."
