Texas Tech Athletics
SMU
Lady Raiders Defeat SMU for Tournament Title
November 29, 2003 | Women's Basketball
Nov 30, 2003
DALLAS (AP) - A day after a disappointing defensive showing against Michigan, Texas Tech made up for it with a dominant performance against SMU.
The No. 5 Lady Raiders (6-0) set a school record by holding the Mustangs to 17 percent shooting from the field Saturday night in a 77-37 victory in the championship game of the SMU Hoops for the Cure Classic.
Tech had allowed more than 50 points for the first time this season in beating Michigan 74-61 Friday.
"We wanted to play better defense than we did (Friday)," said Texas Tech's Erin Grant, who had seven rebounds and seven assists. "I really thought we came back and played with the intensity that we need."
Jia Perkins led Tech with 22 points. Against Michigan she scored just eight points and was benched for the game's final 15 minutes because of a coach's decision.
She responded by scoring 14 points in the first half against SMU. She finished 10-of-16 from the floor.
"Our strongest part was what we did on the defensive end," Texas Tech head coach Marsha Sharp said. "Perkins then just took over on the offensive end."
SMU (1-2) shot a school-low 16.9 percent (11-of-65) and went 14:33 without a field goal. The Mustangs also equaled a school low with their 11 field goals.
During the drought, Tech outscored SMU 31-4.
The Mustangs hit just three of 30 shots in the opening half and trailed 37-14 at halftime.
SMU head coach Rhonda Rompola scheduled a 6 a.m. film session Monday.
"Maybe we'll have breakfast with Bob Knight," Rompola joked. SMU men's team plays Texas Tech on Monday night,
LaToya Davis scored 12 points for Tech. Alesha Robertson had 11 and Jametra Clark added 10.
Kaira White's basket brought the Mustangs within 15-10 midway through the first half. SMU then missed 23 straight shots before Shonte Roberts scored on a putback early in the second half to make the score 46-16.
"If you look at the first 10 minutes, both teams were missing shots," Rompola said. "I think we had some good looks, the shots just didn't fall. And a good team like Texas Tech is going to take advantage of that."
The Lady Raiders, who led by as many 40 points in the second half, have won 25 straight against their former Southwest Conference rival and lead the series 40-3.
Shanta Ramdhanny had nine points for SMU.
