Texas Tech University Athletics
Texas Tech Athletics
Everyone's Internet (Exhibition)
Lady Raiders Edge Everyone's Internet, 68-47
November 15, 2004 | Women's Basketball
Nov. 16, 2004
LUBBOCK, Texas - By Jenna Sampson, Texas Tech Media Relations - The Lady Raiders ended preseason exhibition play on Monday night with a 68-47 win over Everyone's Internet. The visiting team was coming off of a 59-56 win over Texas A&M Sunday night. Senior Cisti Greenwalt led the Lady Raiders for the second game in a row, scoring 19 points and adding 10 rebounds. Forward LaToya Davis was close behind with 12 points and seven rebounds, leading the team in offensive boards with three for the evening. Freshman Darrice Griffin followed up her strong performance last week with 10 points and three steals, and veteran point guard Erin Grant added 10 key assists.
"I think it was a great team for us to play. I don't think we'll play anybody that is quicker, that can attack us better off the dribble from the perimeter than this team did. Some of them play in the WBNA and it was evident that when they got it to the lane they knew how to finish shots," said Head Coach Marsha Sharp.
Both teams displayed aggressive defense early in the game, but the Lady Raiders capitalized on missed shots by Everyone's Internet to gain a quick lead. Davis dominated the post game early with power moves to the inside, drawing fouls and making trips to the free throw line throughout the evening. Sophomore Alesha Robertson added a timely steal to feed Judith Smith upcourt for the lay-in during the opening minutes of the contest. Griffin entered the game with just under 12 minutes remaining in the first half and immediately made a strong play down low for two to put the score at 17-6. The Lady Raiders continued to wait for plays to mature and executed the offense well. Greenwalt dominated the paint with smooth turnaround jumpers throughout the game and added three shots from the line.
"For awhile she's going to have to be the one we try to go to in the middle. We're beginning to solidify her in the low post area and look for her and find her some shots," Sharp added.
The Lady Raiders led at the half 36-25, but Everyone's Internet continued to present a challenge for the home team at both ends of the court. The visiting team started the second half fast to close the lead to 39-35, prompting a change from the home bench. Sharp changed the defense from a man to a zone for the remainder of the game, resulting in a 21-point lead.
Griffin and Smith continued to make good use of their minutes on the court this week. Griffin added to her collection of power moves, and the two had a combined effort in a steal that set up a fast break and Smith jumper. A few minutes later Griffin missed a shot from the post, got the rebound, and put it away for two. She followed the play with a steal at the other end of the court and added another basket just seconds later.
"Judith and Darrice both are athletic and they can really get the ball to the rim or shoot the basketball from the perimeter. It was important for me tonight to get them some good minutes. I wanted them to play with the main group for awhile and try to get them ready to go. I think they proved tonight that they're going to be a big part of what we're going to be about. I was pleased with their patience and the way they stayed within our game plan," Sharp added.
The Lady Raiders continued to capitalize on missed shots by Everyone's Internet and fed the ball down low to gain a comfortable lead at 62-47 with 2:08 remaining.
"I thought toward the end of the game some of the offense that we were able to create by letting Erin (Grant) dribble into an offensive set and letting her make the entry pass to post players was one of the reasons we were able to win," said Sharp.
Grant distributed the ball well throughout the game, setting up plays and adding 10 assists for the evening. Robertson added her first three pointer of the evening with 1:08 on the clock and followed with two free throws after drawing a foul. She ended the night with eight points.
"I know defense is going to be our main key and that's what we're going to have to focus on, that's what is going to win us games. We showed tonight that we can get some buckets inside and we're going to knock down more jumpers outside. But defense is going to be our main key, so once we get that to where we want to be, we'll be the team we want to be," said Grant.
The Lady Raiders enter season play next week when they host Rice on Nov. 22 at 7 p.m. at the United Spirit Arena.
